CHAEADEIUS. 



125 



The extraordinary similarity between this species and its Palsearctic ally, at all ages 

 and seasons, is a remarkable proof of the greater importance in some instances of colour 

 and pattern of colour than of what are called structural characters. The Palsearctic species 

 has a slightly longer bill, and the white spot behind the eye is very distinct. In the 

 Nearctic species the postocular patch is either entirely absent or so small as to escape 

 notice ; otherwise the only difference discoverable between the two species is the exceptional 

 development of the web between the outer and middle toes of C. semipalmatus. 



Small 

 generic 

 value of 

 structural 

 characters. 



%* Subgeneric group Typical Hiaticulce. 

 f f Old- World Species. 



WAV 



HT^ 



CHARADRIUS HIATICULA. 



RINGED PLOVER. 



Charadrius, subgen. Hiaticulce typicce, dorso et supracaudalibus fusco-griseis : digitis internis ad Diagnosis, 

 basin liberis : pectore et rectricibus lateralibus non nisi fascia una. obscura, ornatis. 



The Ringed Plovers breeding in the British Islands are on an average larger birds than Variations, 

 those breeding on the continent, and may therefore claim to be regarded as subspecifically 

 distinct. 



