Vol. xliii.] 72 



noteworthy in that it is plain gvej above with no dark 

 markings, such as the vast majority of Charadriiform birds 

 show. Has it lost its markings because of its subterranean 

 nesting-habit ? or is it the more ancestral type of down 

 plumage? Probably the latter. (See also 'Ibis,' 1916, 

 pp. 317-337.) The chick of the Lesser Crested Tern is 

 perhaps unknown ; it is noteworthy in that the ground-colour 

 is nearly white, but has the usual, though reduced in amount, 

 dark markings on the crown, dorsum, thighs, and bend of 

 wing ; pure white below. It thus shows the family 

 resemblance to the chicks of other Sterninse (of which 

 specimens of Common, Little, Gull-billed, Caspian, and 

 Black-bellied Terns were passed round for comparison). 



Ibidorliynclms struthersi. 

 Charadrius mongolus atrlfrons. 

 Esacus recurvirostris. 



(On behalf of Mr. H. 

 Whistler.) 



The chick of the IhidorJiynchus is such a poor specimen 

 that not much can be said about it except that on the back 

 it appears to be buffish-grey with black tips. The bill, as 

 one would expect, is straight. The chick of the Mongolian 

 Sand-Plover is, I believe, known ; it will be noticed that 

 it is a typical " Ringed Plover " (Ringed Plover, Little 

 Ringed Plover, and Kentish Plover exhibited for comparison), 

 and shows the usual pattern of this group and the white neck- 

 band ; the ground-colour, especially on the wings, is of a 

 warmer buff than in any of the others exhibited ; dark 

 markings bolder. The (jtreat Stone-Plover shows its obvious 

 " Stone-Plover " character : the ground-colour above is dirty 

 buffy-grey ; line from gape, loral line, line from behind eye 

 down sides of neck black ; broken-up black line on dorsum, 

 black line down thighs ; neck pale grey, rest of underparts 

 white. 



Alcemon alaudipes. (On behalf of Sir Percy (!!ox and Major 

 Cheesman.) 



Tliis small chick is of considerable interest. In many 



