152 



THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are good to eat, at any 



rate at times. 

 CAPTIVITY. They live well, but are seldom to be seen 



in this state ; they have never been bred, though 



one (Chionis alba) has several times been kept at 



the London Zoological Gardens. 

 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. The shores and islands 



of the South Atlantic. There are only three species, 



called " Sore-eyed Pigeons " and " Paddy-birds " 



by the whalers: 



SHORE-BIRDS (Charadriidcz). 



DIAGNOSIS. Ground-birds of moderate or small size, 

 with hind-toe very small or absent, and corner of 

 mouth below forehead. 



SIZE. From that of a pheasant to that of a sparrow. 



FORM. Bill with corner of mouth far forward, level 

 with forehead, and never very stout, but other- 

 wise very variable, sometimes short and pigeon- 

 like, sometimes long, and with a varying curva- 

 ture ; feet with usually rather long shanks, and 

 legs usually bare above the hock ; three front toes, 

 often more or less webbed ; hind-toe always small 

 and useless, often wanting ; wings moderate, 

 pointed or rounded, with tertiary quills often 

 long ; spurred on the pinion-joint in some Lap- 

 wings ; tail short. Head large in Plovers, smaller 

 in other groups. 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Colouring seldom bril- 

 liant, usually drab or brown, sometimes streaked 

 or spotted above, and white below. Seldom 

 a sex-difference, but usually a more or less marked 

 seasonal change. Females sometimes brighter and 

 often ' larger than males. Young usually with a 

 distinct plumage, but not a very striking one. 



