The Plovers, 185 and 186
The ringed plovers are small “snippets” which haunt the seashore and the sandbanks of rivers. They go about in small flocks. Numbers of them are to be seen on the muddy edges of the Coum at Madras, but they have to be looked for, since from a little distance they assimilate closely to the hue of the mudbanks on which they disport themselves. They are not much bigger than sparrows, but are pretty little birds. Two species are common.
[185]. Ægialitis alexandrina: The Kentish Plover. (F. 1446), (J. 848), (I.)
Upper parts brown, lower parts white. The brown of the upper parts is broken by a white forehead, eyebrow, and collar. The under surface of the wing is white, so that as a flock of this species or the next two species fly they look now brown, now white, according as the brown or white surface of the wing is presented to the observer.
This species is seen chiefly in winter and on the sea-coast.
[186]. Ægialitis dubia: The Little Ringed Plover. (F. 1447), (J. 850), (I.)
This is very like No. [185] in appearance, but may be easily distinguished from it by having a black band across the throat. Legs yellow.
This species is not confined to the sea-coast. Like most of its tribe it has a plaintive whistle.
[187]. Himantopus candidus: The Black-winged Stilt, or Long-legs. (F. 1451), (J. 898), (-IV.)
Male: A white bird with glossy black back and wings.