541 



in the hot lowlands ; and I myself saw a pair on the Djur. In every part of the country we 

 visited it is probably sedentary ; and in Egypt the breeding-season is in our spring." In Abyssinia 

 Mr. Blanford only saw it on the highlands on the banks of Lake Ashangi ; but it also occurred at 

 Ailat and on the edges of a small stream at Amba, near Massowa. 



I do not find any record of the occurrence of the Spur-winged Plover in Algeria or Morocco ; 

 but Swainson figures it (I. c), and says that he has examined specimens from Senegambia. 



To the eastward the present species has been noticed as far as Persia ; but it has only been 

 recorded from that country by the older authors, and Mr. Blanford states that neither he nor 

 Major St. John ever met with it when collecting there. 



In habits the Spur-winged Plover is said to have much in common with the Lapwing; and 

 Von Heuglin remarks that it is quite as active and noisy as that bird, and adds that it is very 

 peculiar and droll in its movements. 



Mr. S. Stafford Allen gives (Ibis, 1863, p. 156) some interesting notes respecting the habits 

 of this species as follows : — " Curious and interesting as it may be in its habits to an unconcerned 

 spectator, it is any thing but a favourite with the sportsman; for to its vigilance and noisy 

 activity he probably owes the loss of many a good bird that might otherwise have been added to 

 his bag. "Woe to the unlucky ornithologist who, in attempting to get within shot of some scarce 

 and shy bird, happens to come across one of these mischief-makers ! for, as if equally aware of 

 his intentions and its own worthlessness, it hovers over his head, jerking out its warning cry of 

 ' Zac ! zac ! zac ! ' until every bird is effectually scared away from the vicinity. Constantly, whilst 

 thus employed, does it pay the penalty of its interference, by receiving the charge intended for 

 its betters, from which it would otherwise have been perfectly safe. 



" Abundantly distributed over the country, and not at all shy, the ' Zic-zac ' (as the Arabs 

 call it) is seen in pairs or small flocks, both by the river-side and in the fields, its strongly con- 

 trasted black-and-white neck, with the more sober dun of its back, attracting the attention of 

 the most careless observer as it stands with a knowing air on the top of a ridge or hillock, ready 

 to give notice of any thing suspicious. 



"The sharp spurs which are placed on the carpal joint of each wing are not worn merely 

 for ornament ; for these Plovers are most pugnacious birds, and know how to use these weapons 

 with effect in their frequent battles among themselves, or with their ' pet aversion ' the Hooded 

 Crow (Corvus comix). This spur is mostly used whilst on the wing, by darting at the object of 

 their dislike and making a sudden turn upwards on reaching it, striking at the same time. I am 

 inclined to think, however, that it is occasionally used on the ground, as I have several times seen 

 a Zic-zac put down its head and run at another in a threatening manner, though I never saw a 

 blow actually struck. The spurs are often quite worn down, perhaps through the frequency of 

 these encounters, which are said by the natives to be occasionally attended with fatal consequences. 



" A curious habit of the Zic-zac (though not confined to this species, as I have noticed it in 

 several other Waders) is that of suddenly jerking up its body whilst on the ground, sometimes 

 emitting its cry of ' Zac ! ' at the same time — in fact, looking exactly as if afflicted with a violent 

 hiccup. 



" The flight of the Spur-winged Plover is strong and vigorous, and partakes of the same 

 jerky and energetic character which distinguishes this species in all its movements. 



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