PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS 255 



head and neck, and paler (greyish) on the abdomen. Bill 

 and shield pale blue, the knobs of the shield being dark red. 

 Length, 16 to 17 inches. 



It is widely spread throughout South Africa, wherever 

 suitable localities occur. It may be foiind on vleis, rivers 

 and dams, in companies of varying number. On the vleis 

 of the Orange Free State, it is sometimes so numerous, con- 

 sorting with Wild Duck, Spur-wing Geese, and other Water- 

 fowl, that the surface of the water is literally black with the 

 birds ! It flies well and is an expert diver. It feeds in the 

 morning and towards sunset, on insects, weed seeds and 

 plant shoots. It has two curious calls, the one a trumpet- 

 like grunt, and the other a shrill vibrating whistle. 



Contrary to Bryden's experience, we found this bird 

 anything but good eating, the flesh usually being of a muddy 

 and fishy flavour. However, if young, and if the skin is 

 removed before cooking, it is fairly palatable. 



It builds its nest amongst the rushes and reeds ; this 

 is merely a platform of aquatic plants resting on the water. 

 The eggs are three to seven in number, and of a pale tawny 

 colour spotted with blackish-brown. We found it breeding 

 in some number on the Florida Lake, near Johannesburg, 

 during August. 



PLOYERS AND LAPWINGS 



The little Three-banded Plover {Charadrius tricollaris) is 

 called the Strand-looper (Shore-runner) by the Boers, and 

 is found almost everywhere within our limits. It is brown 

 above with a white ring round the top of the head ; below 

 white, with two black bands crossing the chest. Length, 

 6^ inches. 



It may be seen on the flats alongside roads, or running 

 along the shore of a vlei or river. Its call is a sharp squeak. 



