360 RING PLOVER. 



RING PLOVER. {Tringa hiaticula.) 



PLATE LIX.— Fig. 3. 



Arct. Zool. p. 485, No. 401.— Le Petit Pluvier a- Collier, Buff. viii. 90.— Bewick, 

 i. 326. — Peale's Museum, No. 4150. 



CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMA TUS.— Bonapaete.* 



Chaiadrius semipalmatus, Bonap. St/nop. p. 296. — American Ring Plover, North. 

 Zool. ii. p. 367. — Ckaradrius semipalmatus? Wagl. Syst. Av. No. 23. 



In a preceding part of this work (see Plate xxxvu. Fig. 3), 

 a bird by this name has been figured and described, under the 

 supposition that it was the ring plover, then in its summer 

 dress ; but which, notwithstanding its great resemblance to the 

 present, I now suspect to be a different species. Fearful of 

 perpetuating error, and anxious to retract where this may 

 inadvertently have been the case, I shall submit to the con- 

 sideration of the reader the reasons on which my present sus- 

 picions are founded. 



* The smaller Charadriadce of America have been much confused, 

 owing to their close alliance to each other and to those of Europe, with 

 some of which they were thought to be identical. The Prince 6f 

 Musignano has clearly pointed out the differences Avhich exist between 

 this and the species figured at Plate XXXVII, and which bears a more 

 close resemblance to the little African G. pecuarius than either the 

 present species or the hiaticula of Europe (see also our note •on that 

 species) ; and although he has not been able to point out such distinctive 

 characters between the latter species and that now under discussion, I 

 have no doubt whatever of their being eventually found quite distinct ; 

 and it will be found, by those persons who are inclined to allow so much 

 for the influence of climate in rendering form, colour, and plumage 

 distinct, that it is comparatively of no importance, and that identical 

 species, running through a great variety of latitude, will in fact differ 

 little or nothing from each other. I have transcribed the observations 

 of Bonaparte from his " Nomenclature of "Wilson," which will show his 

 opinion. 



He thus observes, — " The remark made by Mr Ord, relative to the 

 difference between the union of the toes in American and European 

 specimens, is no less extraordinary than correct ; I have verified it on 

 the specimens in my collection. This character would seem to show, 



