THE LAPWINGS. 



347 



The Cream-coloured Coursers (Cursorius Gatiicus, Fig. 139) have 

 slender and pointed bills, slightly bent at the end ; long tarsi ; no 

 back toe ; wings much pointed ; its plumage is of a dove colour, and 

 it is about eighteen inches in height. As its name implies, it runs 

 with surprising rapidity. It is a native of Asia and the north of 

 Africa, and only casually makes its appearance in Europe. Nothing 

 is known of its habits. 



The Lapwings ( Vanellus) have the bill enlarged on the upper side, 

 two-thirds of its length being filled up by the nasal channels; its 



Fig. 139. Cream-coloured Coursers. 



back toe is excessively short, and wings pointed. When flying, they 

 make a noise which is not unlike that of corn falling back on the 

 winnowing-fan ; hence their French name vanneau. 



These Birds are essentially migratory, and come down from the 

 high northern latitudes in large flocks in the beginning of autumn, 

 again returning thither in spring. They frequent marshes and the 

 margins of lakes ; in fact, all moist soft districts which abound in 

 earth-worms, insects, slugs, &c. They may often be seen settling 

 down on fields recently ploughed, if they can there find an ample 

 supply of worms. They are in the habit of employing a rather in- 

 genious process to make their victims emerge from the earth. They 

 strike the ground with their feet, and thus give the surface a slight 



