495 



long patches of sandy and stony ground are left bare. On the Lower Amoor he met with it at 

 Pessui, Kulgu, Dsifu, and Dshare. Dr. Eadde first met with it at the Tarei-nor on the 23rd April 

 (O. S.), and found it numerous at Lake Baikal in the summer season. Mr. E. von Homeyer 

 speaks of a difference in the markings of the tail in eastern specimens; but I cannot, judging 

 from those I have examined, detect any constant difference between Asiatic and European birds. 

 Mr. Swinhoe says that it is found throughout South China, Formosa, and Hainan in winter, and 

 breeds at Talien Bay, North China. Southward the present species appears to range as far as 

 the Philippines, Celebes ; and it is stated also to be found in Java. 



So far as I can ascertain from the examination of a considerable series of specimens, I do 

 not think that there are two distinct forms of the present species ; but Lord Walden writes 

 (Trans. Zool. Soc. viii. p. 89) : — " m JEg. minutus (Pall.) apud Jerdon is a smaller and more deli- 

 cately formed species. In plumage it closely resembles JEg. curonicus, but has the head-markings 

 better defined than those of any example of that species I have as yet seen. Its chief distinction 

 is to be found in the smallness of the feet and shortness of the legs. A Katmandoo specimen 

 has the legs dark reddish brown instead of yellow. It behoves naturalists in India to investigate 

 these differences. I am inclined to believe in there being two species, but have not been able to 

 examine a sufficiency of individuals to form a decided opinion." 



In general habits the present species differs but little from the common Ringed Plover, 

 except that, instead of frequenting the sea-coast, it affects the vicinity of fresh water ; and it is 

 usually met with on the banks of rivers and shores of freshwater lakes and ponds, where the soil 

 is sandy and where there are plenty of pebbles and small stones strewn about. Occasionally 

 when such places are rare in the vicinity of water, it will frequent sandy patches at some distance 

 from water ; but it then visits this latter very regularly and frequently. In mode of flight, general 

 appearance, and mode of progression when on the ground, it closely resembles its larger ally ; but 

 its note is different, and much more shrill in tone. Naumann, whose description of the notes of 

 birds is generally so accurate, says that its call-note resembles the syllables did or ded, uttered 

 very short, so that the two vowels are almost united. This note is frequently modulated in 

 various ways, sometimes uttered singly ; and when repeated, it is with considerable intervals. 

 The pairing-note or song begins slowly and is closed with a peculiar trill like the syllables diih, 

 dii, dull, lull, lullullull. This note is only heard at the breeding-place, and is more frequently 

 uttered by the male, more seldom by the female, when seated as well as when on the wing, but 

 most frequently when performing the aerial evolutions in which the bird so frequently indulges 

 during the pairing-season. 



It nests in places where there is pebbly ground, like those selected by JEgialitis Maticula, 

 and not in localities where there is sand without a strong admixture of small stones. The nest 

 is a mere depression in the ground amongst the stones ; and the eggs, which are deposited about 

 the middle of May, are four in number, and are, like those of other Waders, placed with the 

 points inwards. In general character the eggs of this bird resemble those of JEgialitis Maticula, 

 being stone-buff or stone-ochreous spotted with blackish brown ; but the spotting is much finer, 

 and there are but seldom any large blotches. As a rule also I find in the eggs of the present 

 species more purplish grey shell-markings. In size those in my collection vary from l- 4 % by f$ 

 to l- 4 % by |^ inch. 



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