454 
Mr. B. Alexander —An Ornithological 
moved and walked towards it. The bird got up and ran. It 
had been sitting in a slight depression in the muddy sand. 
This accounts for their breast-feathers becoming so stained. 
These birds seem to revel in the heat. When other birds 
have left for the shade these Plovers keep to the hot sand¬ 
banks.12 o’clock, eggs covered. 
“ Oct. 14. 8 a.m., eggs covered up, as usual. Mid-day, 
ditto. About 3.80, the two birds observed for the first time 
close to the nest; a Gull sweeping overhead was probably 
the reason. 
“Oct. 15. Before leaving, about 11 o’clock, I went to look 
for the last time at the nest. The eggs were covered up. 
.... Broke one of them; it was well incubated. 
Description of the eggs. —Ground-colour pale buffish 
brown, minutely spotted and streaked all over with reddish 
brown, with faint underlying markings of a purplish colour. 
Average measurements 1*015 x *088 inch.” 
249. Oxyechus tricollaris (Vieill.). 
This elegant little Plover is by no means common on the 
Zambesi, not being found beyond Zumbo. On August 17, 
at Mesanangue, we found a nest on sand between rocks close 
to the water. It contained three young ones in down. The 
parents kept flying round them, uttering the whole time 
the shrill “ wick, wick ” note of the Sanderling. Towards 
evening a plaintive whistle is often resorted to. At the 
beginning of December the young were abroad, frequenting 
stagnant pools off the river in small parties. 
Adult (Aug. 3, 1898). Iris light lemon-yellow; eyelids 
coral-red ; bill flesh-colour at base, black at fore part; legs 
and feet flesh-colour. 
In the immature bird the feathers of the upper parts are 
edged with buffish white, while the collars on the nape and 
upper mantle are absent. The iris is black. 
250. Totanus canescens (Gm.). 
An adult male in winter plumage obtained near Tete, 
Aug. 18, 1898. 
