Genus GLAREOLA or PRATINCOLES. 



Type GLAREOLA PRATINCOLA. 



Glcireola of Brisson (1760). — The birds comprising the 

 present genus are characterised by having no nasal groove, the 

 nostril being situated in a depression no more elongated than the 

 opening. They are further characterised by having a more or 

 less forked tail, and a hind toe. The wings are long and pointed. 

 The tail in some cases is deeply forked, but in others nearly even, 

 and is composed of twelve feathers. The legs are rather long and 

 slender, the lower part of the tibia devoid of feathers ; the claw 

 on the middle toe of many species is pectinated. The bill is 

 short and curved, compressed towards the point. 



This genus is composed of ten species confined to the Eastern 

 Hemisphere, being inhabitants of the Ethiopian, southern Palse- 

 arctic. Oriental, and eastern Australian regions. One species is 

 an accidental visitor to the British Islands. 



The Pratincoles are dwellers on sandy plains, marshes, the 

 banks of rivers, and the shores of lakes and lagoons. They are 

 birds of remarkable flight, powerful and long-sustained, and on 

 the ground they progress by running and walking. Their notes 

 are shrill and unmusical. They subsist chiefly on insects, which 

 they capture whilst flying up and down in a Swallow-like manner. 

 They make no nest, and lay their two or three rotund eggs in a 

 slight depression; these are richly spotted. They are mono- 

 gamous ; and gregarious throughout the year. 



