178 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
as if wounded, all the tic keeping up a clamour 
of hurried, angry notes somewhat resembling the 
yelping cries of the Stilt. 
SPUR-WING LAPWING 
Vanellus cayennensis 
Above grey; broad front and vertical crest black; patch on the 
scapulars purplish bronze; upper tail-coverts white; primaries 
purplish black; greater coverts white; lesser wing-coverts bronze 
green; tail, basal half white, the other half purple-black tipped with 
white ; beneath, chin, line down the middle of the throat and breast 
shining black; sides of neck grey, passing into white on the face ; 
abdomen and under wing-coverts white; bill, spur on wing, and feet 
red; eyes crimson; length 13, wing 8.2 inches. Female similar. 
THE Lapwing of La Plata is considerably larger than 
the well-known Lapwing of the Old World, but 
closely resembles that bird in the general colour of 
the plumage, in the long, slender, black crest, and 
in general appearance. Throughout the Argentine 
country it is called Téru-téru, from its ever-repeated 
disyllabic cry ; west of the Andes the vernacular 
name is Queltrégua, also in imitation of its notes, It 
has red legs, crimson irides, a rosy beak tipped with 
black, and coral-red wing-spurs ; and these spots of 
bright colour add to its bold, striking appearance. In 
size, beauty, and spirit it is a king among the Plovers, 
while its jealous, aggressive disposition gives it the 
character of a tyrant amongst birds in general. On 
the pastoral pampas (the district from which the 
