THE SEMI-PALMATED RINGED PLOVER. 521 



Adult female. Winter. — Differs from C. h. hiaticula as follows : 

 narrow line at base of upper mandible from eye to eye drab, feathers 

 faintly edged white ; crown uniform drab, black band on forepart 

 of crown absent ; black nuchal collar absent ; an ill-defined white 

 eye -stripe continuous with white patch behind eye ; patch below 

 eye and ear-coverts drab ; pectoral band narrower towards centre 

 than in C. h. hiaticula and drab, some feathers tipped and more or 

 less marked white ; inner secondaries differ as described under 

 male. Summer. — Like male but sometimes patch below eye and 

 ear-coverts and sides of black pectoral band more or less intermixed 

 with new or worn drab feathers, sometimes ear-coverts drab. 



Nestling. — Like nestling C. h. hiaticula but upper -parts (except 

 hind-neck which is white) darker, being light buff plentifully 

 intermixed with pronounced black markings. (Three specimens 

 examined.) 



Juvenile. — Similar to juvenile G. h. hiaticula but inner second- 

 aries as adult. Owing to abrasion of buff edges, upper -parts become 

 more or less uniform drab-brown before commencement of post- 

 juvenile moult. 



First winter. Male. — As adult male and only to be distinguished 

 by buff tips to retained juvenile wing-coverts, especially innermost 

 median. The body -feat hers, not all scapulars, not tail-feathers in 

 few examined, some innermost secondaries and coverts, some 

 median and lesser coverts but not rest of wings are moulted in late 

 autumn and early winter. Female. — As adult female and only 

 distinguished by buff tips to retained juvenile wing-coverts, especi- 

 ally innermost median coverts. 



First summer. — (Not examined.) 



Measurements and structure. — £ wing 121-128 mm., tail 48-56, 

 tarsus 22-24, bill from feathers 12-14 (12 measured). § wing 121- 

 126, bill 12-14. Wing -formula and other structure as in C. h. 

 hiaticula but at all ages outer and middle toes webbed up to 1st 

 joint, middle and inner toes half-way up to 1st joint. 



Soft parts. — Bill orange-yellow at base, black terminally ; 

 legs and feet pale flesh-colour. 



Characters and allied forms. — No subspecies. Most likely to 

 be confused with C. h. hiaticula from which it differs as above 

 described. 



Field -characters. — Very like C. h. hiaticula in appearance and 

 character, with narrower breast-band. Rare inland, prefers to 

 follow tides on sandy or pebbly shores, or mud of bays or creeks. 

 Sociable, joins company with almost any species of shore-bird, 

 and with swift strong flight able to keep up with those much larger 

 than itself. When on the wing calls frequently, " tyoo-eep," a 

 short mellow whistle with far-reaching quality. (J. T. Nichols.) 



Breeding-habits. — Much resembles Ringed Plover, frequently 

 breeding on shore above high-water mark. Nest. — A scratching in 

 sand or shingle. Eggs. — Normally 4, occasionally 3 only, pyriform, 



