358 CHAEADEIID^. 



PtU. Mem. Supra brunneus, tectricibus alamin majoribns albo terminatis, fasciam albam fonnantibus ; remigi- 

 bus sepiariis, rhacLidibus albis, secundariis brunneis, longioribus extus albis, intimis longissimis dorso 

 concoloribus ; rectricibus bmnneis, albo terminatis, fascia lata uigra subterminaU omatis, rectricibus 

 duabus extimis pure albis ; loris at linea frontali basali et fascia altera postfrontali nigris, facie lateraU 

 nigra, postice brunnea ; genis cum gutture toto, torque coUari et corpore subtus pure albis ; torque 

 nigro cervicem totam circumdante : rostro nigro, basaliter aurantiaco ; pedibns pallide cameis, ungnibus 

 nigris ; iride saturate corylUna. Long, tota circa 60, alae 4-5, caudae 1-15, culm. 0-6, tarsi 0*95. 



$ mari simiUs, sed fascia nigra verticali obsoleta, et torque cervicali brunneo nee nigro distingaendus. Long, 

 tota circa 65, alas 4-6. (Descr. maris et feminas ptiL hiem. ex Chiapam. ilus. nostr.) 



Hub. NoKTH Amekica, Arctic and sub-Arctic Regions, migrating south in autumn ^^. — 



Mexico, Mazatlan (Grayson^), Tres Marias Is. {Grayson^ ^^^, Forrer^^), San 



Mateo, Tehuantepec ^, Santa Maria del Mar ^ [Sumichrast), Cozumel I. 



(Gaumer''-^^^); Guatemala, Chiapam (0. ^. ^^lej. Costa Eica (v. Frantzim^, 



Zeledon i^), Bahia de Salinas ( Underwood, in litt.). — South Ajieeica geneeallt akd 



West Indies, in winter ^^. 



Compared with Ochthodrormis wilsoni and Oxyechus vociferus, this species is a 

 stoutly-built little bird with a small thick bill. In general appearance it resembles 

 the Common Ring-Plover of Europe [jEgialitis hiaticula). 



M . semipalinatus breeds in the Arctic Regions of North America and Greenland, 

 being known in the United States chiefly as a migrant. Like many other wading 

 birds, it passes along the coasts of Central America in spring and autumn, some 

 individuals doubtless wintering in these localities, also visiting the West Indies and 

 the Galapagos Islands, and occurring on the coasts of South America as far down 

 as Brazil and Chile. It does not seem to be very plentiful in Central America, and 

 Salvin only once met with the bird on the sandy flats of Chiapam, on the Pacific coasc 

 of Guatemala, in January ^. 



The habits of this Plover resemble those of the species of ^gialifu. It frequents 

 the sandy beaches on the sea-shore in company with other small Waders, also visiting 

 the saltings and mud-flats when the tide recedes. On migration it passes through the 

 interior of North America, and is then found on the edges of ponds and inland rivers, 

 its food consisting of minute mollusca and insects ^*- 



The bird makes no nest, but lays its four eggs in a depression, which is sometimes 

 lined with a few dead leaves. The eggs are of a drab-colour, with black spots and 

 blotches 14. 



^GIALITIS. 



JEgialitis, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 553; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxiv. p. 254 (1896). 



This genus, which comprises the true Sand-Plovers, is very like the preceding in 

 form and appearance, but has all the toes free down to the base, without any 

 connecting web as in JEgialeus. The hind toe is wanting, and the taU is short and 

 square, not equalling half the wing in length. Eighteen species are recognized, two 

 of which have been recorded from Central America. 



