BRITISH BIRDS. 19 



THE GREY PLOVER. 



(1 'cm ell us MclanogastcTy Bechst. Vanncaii Pluvicr, 

 Temm.) 



THE length of this bird is about twelve inches. 

 The bill is black; a dusky line extends from the 

 bill underneath each eye, and a white one above 

 it ; the head, back, and wing coverts dusky brown, 

 edged with greenish ash, and some \vith white; 

 cheeks and throat white, marked with oblong 

 dusky spots; belly, thighs, and rump white; sides 

 marked with a few dusky spots ; outer webs of the 

 quills black ; lower parts of the inner webs of the 

 first four white ; tail marked with alternate bars of 

 black and white; legs dull green; hind toe small. 

 This bird agrees with the Plovers in every respect 

 but that of having a very small hind toe, and does 

 not bear any other relationship to either the Sco- 

 lopax or Tringa genera. It is not very common in 



