Order  VII.  GRALL.E. 
Family  IV.  Charadrid^. 
The  fourth  Subfamily, 
CHARADRIN7E,  or  Plovers, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  long  and  slender,  the  culmen  depressed  at  the  base  but  vaulted  at  the  tip, 
the  sides  compressed  and  grooved  ;  the  Nostrils  basal,  linear,  and  placed  in  the  groove  of  the  upper 
mandible :  the  Wings  long  and  pointed  :  the  Tail  moderate,  broad,  and  generally  even :  the  Tarsi  usually 
long,  and  rather  slender :  the  Toes  sometimes  three  and  sometimes  four  in  number ;  the  outer  toe  longer 
than  the  inner,  and  more  or  less  united  at  the  base :  the  Claws  small,  compressed,  and  curved. 
Vanellus  Linn.* 
Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  slender,  and  straight,  with  the  basal  portion  rather  depressed,  and  the 
apical  part  strong,  vaulted,  and  curved,  the  sides  compressed,  and  the  sides  of  each  mandible  grooved 
for  two  thirds  of  their  length  ;  the  gonys  short  and  straight ;  the  nostrils  lateral,  in  the  groove  of  the 
upper  mandible.  Wings  very  long  and  pointed  ;  with  the  first  quill  shorter  than  the  second  and  third, 
which  are  equal  and  longest.  Tail  moderate,  broad,  and  even.  Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe, 
rather  slender,  and  covered  in  front  with  transverse  scales ;  the  tibia  sometimes  covered  with  feathers 
nearly  to  the  knee.  Toes  four ;  the  anterior  ones  rather  long,  the  outer  toe  longer  than  the  inner,  and 
united  at  the  base  ;  the  hind  toe  short,  not  reaching  to  the  ground ;  the  claws  short,  compressed,  and 
slightly  curved. 
The  species  that  compose  this  genus  are  found  in  Europe,  America,  and  Northern  Africa.  They  inhabit  in  pairs  the 
marshy  moors,  or  the  dry,  open,  or  cultivated  districts ;  but,  on  the  approach  of  winter,  usually  frequent  the  downs  and 
sea-shore,  where  they  live  in  flocks.  Their  flight  is  rapid,  and  at  times  performed  with  numerous  singular  evolutions, 
uttering  a  series  of  often  repeated  notes,  and  while  on  the  ground  they  run  with  great  speed.  "Worms  form  their  chief 
food ;  these  they  procure  during  twilight,  by  turning  the  worm  casts  on  one  side,  and,  after  walking  round  them  two  or 
three  times,  by  way  of  communicating  motion  to  the  ground,  the  worms  come  out,  and  the  watchful  birds,  seizing  hold 
of  them,  draw  them  forth.  They  also  feed  on  slugs  and  insects  in  their  various  stages.  The  nest  is  formed  of  dry 
grass,  and  is  placed  in  a  slight  hollow  in  the  ground.  The  eggs  are  four  in  number.  The  young  are  covered  with 
down,  and  are  carefully  tended  by  the  parent  until  they  are  capable  of  protecting  themselves.  Should  they  be 
disturbed,  various  stratagems  are  resorted  to  to  attract  attention  from  the  nest  or  young. 
*  Established  by  Linnteus  in  1735.    Parra  of  Lacepede  (between  1800  and  1801)  is  coequal. 
