238 BLACK-BODIED LAPWING. 



The size is about that of our Lapwing, and the 

 colouring, which is very peculiar, will be better 

 understood perhaps by the figure than by the fol- 

 lowing description. The whole of the top of the 

 head and nape are of the deepest black, the nape 

 having a short crest ; this black is isolated by a 

 broad collar of white across the upper part of the 

 neck, and this unites with the white which spreads 

 over the sides only of the head, neck, and breast ; 

 from the chin to the breast is a broad black stripe, 

 which terminates somewhat in a point. Upper 

 plumage drab-brown, but the upper tail-covers, as 

 well as the lower, are white ; quills deep black, but 

 the lesser ones are more or less white at their base ; 

 tertials drab. Tail quite even and black ; the base 

 of the feathers white ; from the breast to the belly 

 the colour is deep black ; but the vent, flanks, thighs, 

 inner wing-covers, and under tail-covers, are all pure 

 white. The wings are about half an inch longer 

 than the tail, the two outermost feathers of which 

 are slightly tipt with white ; the spur on the shoul- 

 der is deep black and very acute. 



We question whether Edwards' figure, pi. 47, is 

 of this species, as he mentions the head is glossed 

 with green and the body with blue, neither of which 

 tints are seen in our Senegal specimens, or in others 

 we have received from India. 



Total length about 10J inches; bill, from the front, 

 1 ; wings, 7J ; tarsus, 2 T % ; middle toe and claw, 

 1 ; inner toe shortest. 



