CHARADRIIDJS — THE PLOVERS — OXYECHUS. 
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Mr. H. Seebohm (Ibis, 1879, p. 153) first met with this species in Siberia, June 5, 
and secured many specimens as it passed the Koo-rag-i-ka in its migrations. He 
again met with it on the open tundra, beyond the limit of forest-growth, in lat. 69° 
30'. The nest was a mere hollow in the ground, lined with broken stalks of reindeer- 
moss. The eggs, four in number, averaged 1.90 by 1.32. These were taken July 13, 
and were very much incubated. 
Mr. Seebohm shows that Mr. Swinhoe probably erred in stating that this Plover 
breeds in Formosa, and that he mistook the eggs of JEgialitis Geojfroyi for those 
of this species. 
Genus OXYECHUS, Reichenbach. 
Oxyechus, Reichenb., Av. Syst. 1853, Introd. p. xviii (type, Charadrius vociferus, Linn.). 
Char. Bill small, slender, about equal to the middle toe (without nail) ; tarsus nearly twice as 
long as middle toe ; tail long (about two thirds as long as the wings), reaching half its length 
beyond the ends of the primaries, graduated, the lateral feathers about .75 shorter than the middle 
pair ; rump different in color from the back. 
The single North American species of this genus differs conspicuously from the Plovers usually 
included together under JEgialitis, in the broad, lengthened tail, and, so far as coloration is con- 
cerned, in the ochraceous rump and the pair of black bands across the breast. It may be remarked, 
however, that coloration alone is of slight importance as a character in this group. 
0. vociferus . 
Two Old World species appear to belong here rather than with the true JEgialitis , namely, 
Charadrius tricollaris, Vieill., of South Africa, and Ch. nigrifrons, Cuvier, of Australia. The 
former is much like a miniature Kildeer Plover, having two black pectoral bands, like 0. 
vociferus (though their relative width is reversed, the posterior one being the broader) ; the pro- 
portions and details of form are quite the same, but the rump and upper tail-coverts are concolor 
with the back. The Australian species agrees essentially with the above in size and proportions, 
but has broader and acuminate rectrices, and the tail is more nearly even, while the plumage is 
handsomer and more varied than in any other species of the group ; the scapular region being 
adorned with a patch of rich maroon chestnut, the upper tail-coverts rufous chestnut, etc. 
