I7O BRITISH BIRDS. 



GENUS CLV. CHARADRIUS, Linnaeus (1766}. 



Bill rather shorter than head, much as in (Edicnemus, 



but more slender. Wings long and pointed, ist primary 



longest. Tarsus moderately long, reticulated ; three toes 



in front united by a membrane at base ; hind toe obsolete. 



274. Charadrius pluvialis, Linn. GOLDEN PLOVER. 

 Hab. Northern Europe and Eastern Siberia. In winter 



reaching South Africa. 



Adult : above black, closely barred and spotted with 

 golden-yellow and greyish- white ; forehead and a line over 

 eye white ; cheeks and under parts black bordered with 

 white on sides of lower breast and belly ; axillaries 

 pure white j iris dark brown ; bill and tarsi slate-black. 

 Length 10*25. I n winter yellower above and white below, 

 with a dusky zone on breast. 



Common during migration and in winter, frequenting 

 the coasts and low-lying districts. A fair number breed in 

 the south-west and north of England, in Wales, Scotland 

 and the mountainous parts of Ireland. Eggs : 4 ; greyish- 

 yellow to warm buff, heavily blotched and spotted with 

 blackish-brown ; I -95 by I -40. 



275, Charadrius dominieus (Muller). AMERICAN 



GOLDEN PLOVER. 



Hab. Arctic America from Alaska to Greenland. 



An example of this smaller species was purchased by 

 Mr. J. H. Gurney in Leadenhall Market (1*882) while a 

 second was taken in Perthshire (1883). ^ 



275a. Ch. dominieus fulvus (Gmel.). PACIFIC 



GOLDEN PLOVER. 

 Hab. N.E. Asia. 



One was obtained in Leadenhall Market (1874) and a 

 second shot in the Orkneys (1887). 



