VANELLUS. 



589 



The Little Indian Ringed Plover is generally distributed over Burmah, but 

 is nowhere very abundant. Gates procured it near Thayetmyo and also in 

 Southern Pegu, along the banks of the canal. Capt. Wardlaw-Ramsay got itat 

 Tounghoo, and Mr. Davison observed it in Tenasserim about the latitude of 

 Moulmein. It occurs in suitable localities over the whole of India and Ceylon, 

 the Indo-Burmese Countries, and Cochin-China, where Dr. Tiraud procured 

 many specimens near Saigon. Gates says it is probably a constant resi- 

 dent in Burmah, notwithstanding the fact that all his specimens were pro- 

 cured in the winter season. In the rains, when sandbanks are submerged, 

 its area of distribution must become very restricted, and it is likely at this 

 time of the year to escape observation. Major Legge found it breeding in 

 Ceylon. 



Sub-Family, VANELLIN^. LAPWINGS. 



Bill rather compressed, straight, convex at the tip ; nostril in a long lateral 

 groove ; wings pointed and long ; tail broad ; hind toe short. Generally very 

 active and lively birds. Nearly all winter visitants in India. Feed on 

 worms, slugs, molluscs, &c., either along the sea shore, or river banks, or the 

 edges of tanks and marshes ; also in ploughed fields, 



Gen. 



. Linn. 



Bill straight ; 2nd and 3rd quills longest ; shoulder of wing with a small 

 (not prominent) tubercle. 



1264. VanelluS cristatUS, Meyer, P. E. 242 ; Gould., B. Eur. pi. 

 291 ; Jerd., B. Ind. iii. p. 643; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 573; 



