CHARADRINJE. 639 



Bill blackish ; irides dark brown ; orbits blackish ; legs greyish 

 green; the toes darker. Length 8^ inches; extent 17 to 18; 

 wing 5^ ; tail 2 ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus 1^. 



In summer dress, the forehead, lores, ear-coverts and beneath 

 the eye, are black, having a white mark on each side of the 

 forehead ; the neck and breast are bright rufous, contrasting with 

 the pure white throat ; the head is more or less deeply tinged 

 with rufous, and the back, and especially the scapularies are 

 partially margined with the same. 



This, the largest of the group, is chiefly found near the Sea 

 coast, and at the mouths of large rivers, in considerable flocks. It 

 is found over all India in suitable spots, retiring north in April 

 and May to breed, and it is often brought to the Calcutta market 

 for sale, but not in such numbers as the next species. I have 

 procured it on the east-coast at Madras, and elsewhere, but never 

 far inland. Blyth remarks that it is not till May that birds in 

 summer plumage are procurable at Calcutta, and I never got them 

 in the south of India in that garb. It probably occurs throughout 

 Eastern Asia. 



847. iSgialitis pyrrhothorax, Temminck. 



Charadrius apud Temminck — C. ruficollis, Cuvier — H. Le- 

 schenaultii, Lesson — Blyth, Cat. 1563 — H. rufmellus, Blyth — ■ 

 Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 299 — C. cirripidesmos, Wagler — 

 C. cantianus apud Horsfield. 



The Lesser Sand-plover. 



Descr. — Precisely similar to the last, both in winter and summer 

 plumage, from which it differs chiefly in size, being considerably 

 smaller ; the bill moreover differs slightly in shape. Length 7£ 

 inches ; extent 15| ; wing 5 ; tail If ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1£. 

 Bill black ; irides blackish ; legs plumbeous, darker on the toes. 



Like the last, this little Plover prefers the vicinity of the Sea- 

 shore, and large rivers. It is brought in great numbers to the 

 Calcutta market, during the season ; and Mr. Blyth hasremarked that 

 it does not assume its summer plumage till May. I have procured 

 it in the Carnatic, at Madras, on the Malabar Coast, and elsewhere 



