OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 161 



Genus VANELLUS, or Typical Lapwings. 



Type, VANELLUS CEISTATUS. 



VanellllS, of Brisson (1760). The birds comprising the present genus are 

 characterised by having the innermost secondaries broad and rounded at the 

 tips, and the rectrices with broad white bases succeeded by a black subterminal 

 band, broken on the outermost feathers. The hind toe is present. The tail is 

 moderately long and nearly square. The bill is typical in shape ; nostrils placed 

 in a deep groove. 



This genus is composed of two species, confined to the Palaearctic and Oriental 

 regions, and the north-eastern portion of the Ethiopian region. Both species are 

 British, one a common resident in and the other a very rare straggler to our 

 Islands. 



The Lapwings are dwellers on the open plains, birds of the moors and 

 commons, fields and downs, but are more maritime during winter. They are 

 birds of somewhat slow and irregular flight, and progress on the ground by 

 running or walking. They are somewhat nocturnal in their habits. Their notes 

 are shrill and plaintive. They subsist on worms, mollusks, insects, larvae, &c. 

 They make scanty nests on the ground, and their eggs, pyriform in shape and 

 four in number, are richly spotted. They are monogamous ; and more or less 

 gregarious, and sociable always. 



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