Genus iGGIALITIS or RINGED PLOVERS. 



Type yEGIALITIS HIATICULA. 



^gialitis of F. Boie (1822). — The birds comprising the 

 present genus are characterised by the absence of a hind toe, by 

 their white axillaries and belly, and by the dark subterminal band 

 across the rectrices. The wings are long and pointed, first 

 primary the longest ; the tail is somewhat rounded, and consists of 

 twelve feathers. The tarsus is reticulated, the lower portion of 

 the tibia devoid of feathers. The bill is much shorter than the 

 head, slender, and nearly straight to the end of the nasal groove, 

 then slightly raised and arched to the tip; nostrils small and 

 linear. Toes three in number, pointed forward. 



This genus is composed of about fifteen species and sub- 

 species, which during winter are practically cosmopolitan. Absent 

 from the Neotropical region, and rare in the Oriental region 

 during the breeding season. Four species are included as 

 British. 



The Ringed Plovers are dwellers principally on the banks of 

 rivers and lakes, although some species also affect the coast. 

 They are birds of rapid and sustained flight, and progress on the 

 ground by running and walking with great facility. Their notes 

 are shrill and monotonous. They subsist on insects, crustaceans, 

 worms, etc. They make no nest, but deposit their pyriform eggs 

 in a cavity in the bare ground. These are four in number, and 

 spotted. They are monogamous ; and gregarious, especially in 

 autumn and winter. 



