122 RINGED PLOVER. 



the common crow, they would spare the present species, and 

 not shower destruction indiscriminately on their black friends 

 and enemies; at least on those who sometimes plunder them, 

 and those who never molest or injure their property. 



RINGED PLOVER. {Charadrius Maticula.) 



PLATE XXXVII.— Fig. 3. 



Lath. Syn. v. p. 201. S.—Arct. Zuol. ii. No. 401.— Petit pluvier, a Collier, Buff. 

 viii. p. 90. 6, PL enl. 921. — Pluvialis torquato minor, Briss. v. p. 63. 8. t. 5. 

 f. 2.—Turt. Syst. p. 411. 2.—Peale's Museum, No. 4150. 



CHARADRIUS MEL OD US. -Ord. * 



Charadrius melodus, Bonap. Synop. p. 296. — Charadrius Okenii? Wagl. Syst. 

 Av. No. 24. 



It was not altogether consistent with my original plan, to 

 introduce any of the grallse, or waders, until I had advanced 

 nearer to a close with the land birds ; but as the scenery here 

 seemed somewhat appropriate, I have taken the liberty of 

 placing in it two birds, reduced to one-third of their natural 

 size, both being varieties of their respective species, each of 

 which will appear in their proper places, in some future part 

 of this work, in full size, and in their complete plumage. 



* This little plover has proved to be one of those very closely allied 

 species so difficult of distinction, without a comparison 'with its congeners. 

 The present figure is in the adult spring dress, and will be again repre- 

 sented by Bonaparte in that of autumn, in our third volume. The syno- 

 nyms of Wilson are, of course, erroneous. Those also of Temminck, 

 quoted in his Manual, and the observations on Wilson's plate and de- 

 scription, must share a similar fate. The observations in the nomencla- 

 ture of Wilson, by the Prince of Musignano, will best explain how this 

 species ought to stand. " C. Maticula was at first given by Wilson as a 

 variety, of which he intended to describe the type in a future volume ; 

 but when he did so in his seventh volume, he clearly and positively 

 pointed out the difference in markings, habits, migration, voice, &c, 

 between the two, which he then considered as distinct species, but with- 

 out applying a new name ; and we have no doubt that, if he had made 

 out the index himself, he would then have supplied the deficiency, as he 

 had before done in respect to some land birds. Mr Ord supplied this 

 void, by calling it C. melodus." — Ed. 



