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Show 1874.] OF LITTLE-KNOWN LIMICOLJE. 455 p. 68), some of which have been kindly presented to me. The finders describe the nest as a slight saucer-shaped hollow in the ground, lined with chips of wood and bits of thick reed, and placed in open marshy parts of the alder thickets by the sides of " hourias," or creeks, or in the sand amongst bent-grass. The eggs were found between the 15th June and the end of that month. They add, " the eggs in many instances closely resemble those of Actitis hypoleuca, but are a little larger. They bear no resemblance whatever to the eggs of Limosa ; indeed all this bird's habits, motions, cry, and quick darting erratic flight show its affinities with the Sandpipers and not with the Godwits." GLAREOLA LACTEA, Temm. (Plate LX. fig. 1.) The small Swallow Plover, as it is called by Anglo-Indians, is generally distributed throughout India, Nepal, Upper Burmah, and Tenasserim, but not in China or the Malay archipelago. Jerdon found it breeding at Thyetmyo in Upper Burmah, in May, when the young were just flown ; and Mr. Brooks, C.E., found nests in a large sandy churr near Mirzapore. The egg here figured was procured with another by Dr. A. Anderson at Futtehgurh in April 18/3. He reports that this species never lays more than two eggs at a time; and the parent birds are described as endeavouring to entice away the intruder from their nests just like a Plover. LOBIVANELLUS GOENSIS (Gmelin). This is a common species enough in India; but the egg does not appear to be well known. It resembles the egg of Fanellus cristatus, but is less pyriform, and the ground-colour is paler. The bird breeds in June or July, on rushy sand islets on large rivers, or on bushy downs inland. The eggs are laid on the bare ground, without any attempt at a nest, but are often concealed amid grass or under a thicket, although more frequently exposed to view. The specimen here figured is one from a nest of four taken at Futtehgurh on the 27th April, 1873, and forwarded by Dr. A. Anderson. HOPLOPTERUS VENTRALIS (Wagler). (Plate LX. fig. 3.) The Indian Spur-winged Plover is reported to be generally distributed throughout India, Burmah, Arracan, and Tenasserim, down as far as Singapore ; and Mr. Swinhoe has recorded it from Hainan, although it is not found in China. It breeds at the close of the cold weather, when the rivers are at their lowest, laying its eggs (generally four in number) on the bare sand, and always on an islet. The example now figured for the first time was forwarded from Futtehgurh by Dr. A. Anderson. ESACUS RECURVIROSTRIS (Cuvier). The handsome egg here referred to was sent home by the late Lieut. Beavan as an egg of this species ; but unfortunately the particulars of locality, date, &c. have been either lost or mislaid. That it really |
