BRITISH BIRDS. iyi 



GENUS CLVI. SQUATAROLA, Leach (1816). 



Much as in Charctdrius but feet with hind toe present 

 although small and elevated. 



276. Squatarola helvetica (Linn.). GREY PLOVER. 

 Hab. Circumpolar regions. In winter migrating south- 

 ward over greater part of globe. 



Adult : above dull black, barred and mottled with 

 greyish-white ; forehead and a broad stripe over eye 

 white ; cheeks, throat, breast and upper belly black ; 

 under wing-coverts, vent and under tail-coverts white ; 

 axillaries black ; bill and feet slate-black. Length 1 1 "oo. 

 In winter black of face, throat and breast is lost, but latter 

 shows a few dusky mottlings. 



A common visitor in autumn or winter. 



GENUS CLVII. /EGIALITIS, Boie (1822). 



Bill rather shorter and more slender than in Charadrius. 

 Feet similar ; three toes only ; tarsus slender. 



277. jEgialitis hiatieula (Linn.). RINGED PLOVER. 

 Hab. Whole Palaearctic region. 



Adult : above dull brown, with some white at base of 

 wing-quills ; outermost tail-feather each side pure white, 

 rest with decreasing white tips ; forehead and a streak 

 above ear-coverts white ; crown, ear-coverts and space 

 below eye black ; chin, upper throat and sides of neck 

 white, bordering a broad black pectoral band, below which 

 under parts are white ; bill orange at base, rest black ; 

 iris hazel ; tarsi orange. Length 7*50. Description is 

 that of British individuals, which have been separated as 

 AL. hiatieula major by Seebohm, the birds breeding in 

 Temperate Europe, Central Asia and N. Africa being 

 smaller and brighter, with a wing measurement of 5*00 as 



