472. Hiaticula bicinctaVol. VI. Pl. 16.
473. Hiaticula ruficapillaVol. VI. Pl. 17.
474. Hiaticula monachaVol. VI. Pl. 18.
475. Hiaticula inornata, GouldVol. VI. Pl. 19.
476. Hiaticula nigrifronsVol. VI. Pl. 20.

Genus Erythrogonys, Gould.

Generic characters.

Bill longer than the head, straight, rather depressed; nostrils basal, linear; wings long and powerful, the first feather the longest; tertiaries nearly as long as the primaries; tail short and nearly square; legs long; toes four in number, slender, the hind-toe extremely diminutive and free, the outer toe united to the middle one nearly to the first joint; thighs naked above the knee.

The single species of this genus appears to be strictly Australian, for I have never seen examples from any other country.

477. Erythrogonys cinctus, GouldVol. VI. Pl. 21.

In structure, actions and economy this elegantly formed bird is very nearly allied to the Hiaticulæ on the one hand, and the Schœnicli on the other.

Genus Glareola, Briss.

I have for many years questioned the propriety of placing the Pratincoles in the same group with the Plovers, or even in the same order, believing them as I do to be a terrestrial form of the Fissirostral birds. Linnæus placed them near the Swallows, and I think he was right in so doing; and Mr. Blyth, one of the most philosophical of ornithologists, entertains, I believe, the same opinion; but as nearly all other writers have placed them with the Charadriadæ, I have adopted their view of the subject, and have accordingly retained them in that group.

Species of this genus inhabit India, the Indian Islands, Europe and Africa.