“Numerous flocks seen by me on the plains of Isabela in April, 1906.” (Worcester.)
During the winter months this anomalous plover visits the Philippines in small numbers. Its deeply cleft bill and forked tail distinguish it from all other plovers; and even while on the wing it may be recognized by its circling, swallow-like flight.
Suborder ŒDICNEMI.
Family ŒDICNEMIDÆ.
Bill large and strong, nostrils pervious, their opening a long slit; wings when folded falling short of the tip of tail; secondaries longer than primaries; tarsus covered with hexagonal scales; tarsus longer than culmen or than middle toe with claw.
Genus ORTHORHAMPHUS Salvadori, 1874.
Characters same as those given for the Family.
129. ORTHORHAMPHUS MAGNIROSTRIS (Vieillot).
AUSTRALIAN STONE PLOVER.
- Œdicnemus magnirostris Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. (1818), 23, 231.
- Orthorhamphus magnirostris Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1896), 24, 22; Hand-List (1899), 1, 173; Oates, Cat. Birds’ Eggs (1902), 2, 84; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 30.