468 



CHARADRIIDjE. 



The whole length of the adult bird seven inches and 

 three-quarters. From the carpal joint to the end of the 

 wing, five inches and a half : the wings pointed in shape ; 

 the first quill-feather the longest. 



Adult females in summer have the black bands and collar 

 narrower than in the males, and the colours not quite so 

 decided ; both sexes in winter have the black and the 

 white less pure in colour. 



Young birds of the year have the beak almost entirely 

 black ; they have no black band over the white one on the 

 forehead; the lore, ear-coverts, and the collar round the 

 lower part of the neck are only dusky brown ; legs and toes 

 pale yellow. 



The vignette below represents the breast-bone of the 

 Golden Plover, showing by the depth of the keel, and the 

 consequent large size of the pectoral muscles, the powers of 

 flight in the family of the Plovers. 



