332 



GLAREOLID^: 



GLAREOLA 



Genus I. GLAREOLA. 



Type. 



Glareola, Brisson, Oni. i. p. 141 (1760) G. pratincola. 



Bill short, stout and rather high at the base, culmen much 

 arched, shorter than the middle toe without claw ; nostrils linear 

 ovals, placed at the base of the bill in a slight depression ; wings very 

 long and pointed, extending, when closed, beyond the feet and tail, 

 the first primary distinctly the longest ; tail strongly forked, the 

 outer tail feathers, which are somewhat attenuated at the tip, at 

 least half as long again as the central ones ; tarsus short, hardly 

 longer than the middle toe and claw, covered before and behind with 



FIG. 106. Tail of Glareola mclanoptcra, from below, x \. 



transverse scutes ; hind toe present ; a basal web connecting the 

 outer and middle toes; claws rather long, that of the middle toe 

 pectinated on its inner margin. 



The Pratincoles range over Africa including Madagascar, 

 Southern Europe and Central and Southern Asia, as far as China 

 and Australia. Two species, both migratory visitors to South 

 Africa, are found within our limits. 



Key of the Species. 



A. Axillaries chestnut 



B. Axillaries black, like the under tail-coverts 



Gr. pratincola, p. 333. 

 G. melanoptera,p.888. 



