CHARADRIUS. 
The Australian G. 7 nelanops also merits generic distinction from C. hiaticula 
as its bill, though Vanelline, is long and slender ; the exact antithesis of the 
bill of Mgialeus. In addition to a distinct style of coloration, the tail is 
proportionately long. I am introducing the new generic name ELSE Y A for 
this species : type C. 7nelanops VieiUot. 
The Austrahan C. cucullatus can remain in the typical subgenus of 
Charadrius : it has only differed in producing a black head and throat, and 
increased slightly in size with a rather longer biU. This last is of interest as 
the New Zealand genus Thinornis was differentiated at a very early date on 
account of its long bill, which however is VanelHne in character. 
It might be here noted that the more correct word to use in connection 
with the bill-characters seen in Charadrius hiaticula would be “ Charadriine,” 
but inasmuch as the genus-name Charadrius has been more commonly 
associated with the species of Pluvialis, it might induce confusion ; it is 
considered that the use of the contrasting terms “ PluviaHne ” and “ Vanelline ” 
will be more readily accepted, the former meaning having the characters seen 
in Pluvialis apricarius (Linne) {=Gharadrius pluvialis Auct.) the latter having 
the characters seen in Vanellus vanellus (Linne). 
My examination of the eggs in the British Museum allotted to the species 
here dealt with, favour the conclusion I have put forward with regard to eggs 
of Leucopolius, viz. that accuratety-determined eggs will prove serviceable to 
the systematic ornithologist, but that great care must be taken at the present 
time owing to the carelessness of the past generations of oologists; and no 
deductions can be safely attempted until perfectly rehable eggs are studied. 
Thus, if the eggs of ‘‘’"Oxyechus tricollaris’’'^ be correctly identified, there can be 
no hesitation in accepting my new genus Afroxyechus^ as they entirely differ 
from eggs of Oxyechus. Again, the eggs of “A. indanops ” are so markedly 
different from those of “A. cucullatus ” — which closely resemble thpise of 
C. hiaticula — that the necessity of my new genus Elseya must appeal to all 
oologists. The eggs of Thinornis novce-zelandice, however, resemble the latter, 
so that we have another means of descent to that proposed by Seebohm — viz. 
that the ancestor of this species was a closer relation of the ancestor of 
“ 7nelanops ” than of “ cucullata,^^ and that it has grown larger since it 
settled in New Zealand. This course would be parallel to its companion 
Anarhynchus frontalis, as this bird seems to have a close alliance with 
L. alexandrinus and is also larger. 
The eggs of the other species here allotted to Charadrius have all a general 
resemblance. The most pecuhar result of this examination of these eggs is, 
that while the general Charadriiene (meaning similar to the eggs of Charadrius 
hiaticula) appearance is traceable through the majority of the Sand- and 
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