Hoplopterus

HOPLOPTERUS.

Bill thin ; at bend of wing a pointed curved spur ; no hind toe ; slight crest on head.

Hoplopterus spinosus (L.).

SPUR-WINGED PLOVER. ? Above light brown ; crown, occipital crest, apical half of tail, centre of throat, breast, upper abdomen, and under surface of quills blue black ; face, sides of throat, neck, lower abdomen, under tail coverts, and basal part of tail white. Iris red. Bill,

legs and feet black. 190-202. Tarsus 65-66. Bill 23-25. Breeds.—Nile Valley, north to Alexandria ; possibly Crete ; across Africa, south of Sahara ; also in Syria and Cyprus. Of occasional occurrence in Greece ; rare visitor to Italy and Malta. Apparently resident.