FAMILY CHARADRIID^. 6l 



ordinary note is harsh, and resembles a croak, but, as has already been mentioned, 

 it screams shrilly when its eggs are in danger. It has a curious habit, mentioned 

 by many observers, of throwing itself flat on the ground in front of an intruder, 

 suddenly springing up again and flying off. This looks like a wile to draw 

 attention from its nest or young, but it is practised also at times of year when 

 there can be a question of neither. 



FAMILY CHARADRIID^. 



ONTAINS the Plovers and their nearest allies. They have generally three 

 toes only on each foot (Squatarola, Vanellus, and Strepsilas only having a 

 hind toe, which is too small and too elevated to be of use, or to leave a mark on 

 soft ground). The bill is usually shorter than the head (excepting in Strepsilas, 

 in which it is equal in length to the head, and Hcematopus), fairly stout, used 

 for picking and not for probing wet ground, and without the hexagonal nerve-pits 

 at the tip, which are to be seen in the bills of many Scolopacidce. Nasal fiirrow 

 (the groove in which the nostrils are situated) generally not more than half the 

 length of the bill. 



The family contains the following types : 



1. THE RiNGED-PLOVERS. (/Egia/ilis). Sturdy, usually rather short-legged 

 birds, affecting the shores of the sea, or of shingly rivers ; tarsi reticulated, i.e., 

 covered with hexagonal scales, both before and behind. Three toes slightly 

 webbed. 



2. THE TRUE PLOVERS. (Charadrius and Squatarola). Slender, larger, putting 

 on black breasts and throats in summer ; tarsi reticulated. Three toes, (except in 

 Squatarola}, slightly webbed. 



3. THE LAPWING. (Vanellus). Slender, very blunt- winged ; tarsi scutellated 

 (covered with transverse scales), in front, reticulated behind. Toes four, the three 

 front ones slightly webbed at their bases. Back of head furnished with a crest. 



4. THE OYSTER-CATCHER. (Hamatopus). Sturdy; bill longer than the head, 

 square-ended, laterally flattened ; tarsi reticulated. Toes three, moderately webbed. 



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