Order XVII. LIMICOL^E. 



The bulk of the present order consists of the Plovers and Snipes 

 with their allies ; with these are united the Stone-Curlews, 

 Coursers, Pratincoles, and Jaganas, besides two Neotropical and 

 Antarctic families ( Chionididm and Thinocoridce) not represented in 

 India. The birds named form a fairly natural group, having 

 distinct relations on one side with the Gulls, and being connected 

 on the other by the Plovers with l\rodes and the Pigeons, and 

 through (Edicnemus with the Bustards. 



In the Limicolce the bill varies greatly, but is generally slender, 

 and the nostril is situated in a groove or depression at the side of 

 the bill. The tibia, with but few exceptions, is naked for some 

 distance above the tibio-tarsal joint. The wings as a rule are 

 long, and most of the birds are strong flyers ; many are migratory. 

 The spinal feather-tract is forked on the upper back except in 

 (Edicnemidce, and the dorsal naked tract or aptcrium is well 

 developed anteriorly. An aftershaft is always present, but varies 

 in size. There are eleven primary quills ; the fifth secondary is 

 wanting. There is a tufted oil-gland, and caeca are always 

 present. 



The palate is schizognathous *, and the vomer well developed, 

 pointed in front ; basipterygoid processes vary. The furcula is 

 U-shaped, strong, and complete. The sternum has usually two 

 notches on each side of the posterior border, but there are several 



Fig. 43. Skull of (Edicnemus 

 scolopax (holorhinal). 



Fig. 44. Skull of Numcnius 

 arquata (schizorbiual). 



The skull of Charadrius pluvialis, the Golden Plover, is figured, Vol. Ill, 



p. vn. 



