452 
Mr. B. Alexander —An Ornithological 
the sandy stretches of a dried-up river-bed or moist spots 
where the grass is short and succulent. In such places a 
small party may regularly be observed towards evening fully 
occupied in “ drawing ” worms. On August 1st we came 
across, on a piece of waste land, a pair that had evidently a 
nest, judging by the anxiety displayed by the birds, the male 
running to and fro at the top of its speed, that was broken 
now and again by sharp halts, while the female feigned con¬ 
tinually a broken leg, the bird looking inexpressibly comic 
as it jolted along over the rough ground on one long leg. 
The flight of this species is strong and buoyant, with a 
steady beat of wings. 
At dusk these Spur-winged Plovers become very noisy 
with their plaintive “whits,” while they are often to be 
heard throughout a moonlight night calling fitfully one to 
another, their cries at times seeming almost panic-stricken 
in tone, as if they saw evil spirits walking abroad. 
Adult (Aug. 3, 1898, near Tete). Iris lemon-yellow; fore 
part of bill black, basal half yellow ; lappets yellow, marked 
at their bases on inner side with black; legs and feet paie 
green. In old males the bluish grey of the cheeks, sides of 
face, and neck becomes considerably darker in colour. 
The southernmost range of this species is the Zambesi 
river. 
246. Lobivanellus lateralis (Smith). 
Not common along the river, but now and again observed. 
247. Hoplopterus speciosus (Licht.). 
An uncommon migrant to the Zambesi. On November 22, 
after a storm, a large party suddenly appeared near Zumbo. 
We obtained two pairs. 
The note of this species, when flushed, is a sharp dis¬ 
cordant “click, click,” repeated several times. 
248. Charadrius pallidus Strickl. 
Well distributed, especially in the dry season (June to 
December), when the river becomes in places a mass of sand¬ 
banks. We found nests on several occasions, one containing 
three eggs which were well incubated on Sept, 17th at 
