no 



CHARADRIN/E. 



dent in Burmah, notwithstanding the fact that all his specimens were pro- 

 cured in the winter season. In the rains, when sandbanks are submerged, 

 its area of distribution must become very restricted, and it is likely at this time 

 of the year to escape observation. Major Legge found it breeding in Ceylon. 



Sub-Family. VANELLIN.E.— Lapwings. 



Bill rather compressed, straight, convex at the tip; nostril in a long lateral 

 groove ; wings pointed and long ; tail broad ; hind toe short. Generally very 

 active and lively birds. Nearly all winter visitants in India. Feed on 

 worms, slugs, molluscs, &c., either along the sea shore, or river banks, or the 

 edges of tanks and marshes ; also in ploughed fields. In parts of England the 

 Vanellince are considered by some good for food and their eggs a delicacy. 

 In India, however, this is not the case to any great extent, though some 

 persons think them not amiss at any time. After October they are very fat 

 and tender, and for the table are said to be undisiinguishable from the Plovers . 



Gen. VanelluS. — Linn. 



Bill straight ; 2nd and 3rd quills longest ; shoulder of wing with a small 

 (not prominent) tubercle. 



137. VanelluS CristatUS, Meyer, P. E. 242 ; Gould., B. Eur. pi. 

 291 ; Jerd., B. Ind. iii. p. 643; Hume, Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 573 ; 

 Str. F. i. 231 ; Murray, Hdhk., Znol... ^:c., Sind, p. 210 ; id.. Vert. Zool. 

 Sind, p. 22S; id., Avif. Brit. Jnd. ii. p. 589, No. 1264.— The Crksted 

 Lapwing or Peewit. 



Entire head, crest, chin, a line below the eye, breast and foreneck black, 

 glossed with greenish ; lores, supercilia and behind the eye, also sides and 



