184 



EOSTRATULA. 



Eggs obtained at Tongloo in September. Breeds two or three times a year. 

 (J. 873. B. 1488. H. & M. iii. 381.) 



". S as in B. capensis. 9 throat and chest sooty black. From 

 Wing-coverts uniform blackish, with white spotS. Throat sooty 

 6J". With no hind toe. One species — P. mitchelU, from 



Also B. auslralis. i 

 Australia. 



E. semicollaris. 7J" 

 black. From S. America. 



Also the genUs Phegomis. 

 W.S. America. 



Also the family CHIONIDID.ffi. Sheathbills.- 



Apparently connect the Ja9anas, Snipes, Turnstones, etc. , with the Gulls. 



The size of a Pigeon, with rather the appearance of a Fowl. White plumage, light pink 

 legs, small spurs on inner side of wings, and a black bill. Bill complex. Hind toe present. 

 Feet not webbed, only a membrane between third and fourth toes at base. Tarsus reticulated 

 in front and behind. Kest in holes or behind rocks. One to three eggs, similar to those of 

 the Oyster-Catcher, but blotched purple. Nestling covered with grey down. Two genera, viz. — 



Chionis, with face bare and caruncles near base of bill ; bare space below eye. One species — 

 C. alba, 15", the Kelp Pigeon, confined to S. of S. America and adjacent islands. 



Chionarchus, with face bare in front of the eye ; no caruncles at base of the bill. Two 

 species — C. minor, S 16", 9 15i", feet yellow, and sheath with rounded Petrel-like opening 

 above the nostrils, from islands of S. Atlantic ; and G, crozettensis, 14", feet dark red, and 

 sheath with no perceptible rounded opening in front, from Crozette Islands. 



Also the family THINOCORYTHIDiE. Sbed-Snipes* (Latreille's). 



Seed-Snipes or Quail Snipes are small, short-billed birds, with general habits and appear- 

 ance of the Quails. According to Darwin, these birds partake both of the character of Snipe 

 and Quail. Their character and mode of flight show them to be modified GrallcE. Blyth 

 thinks they approach Fteroclidce in appearance and habit. Called "Shore Larks" by some 

 writers, but the term is here omitted to save confusion with Otocorys alpestris, which belongs 



Not represented in India. 



