PLOVERS. 257 



face, neck, and breast are of a deep and rich black, 

 with a green gloss ; from the hind head springs a 

 most elegant crest of long black feathers, curving 

 upwards, capable of being erected; the upper 



parts of the body are pale olive brown, with me- 

 tallic reflections of purple and blue ; the sides of 

 the head, the base of the tail, and whole under 

 parts are pure white, except the under tail-coverts, 

 which as well as the upper are chestnut ; the tail 

 is black. It is about as large as a pigeon. 



The Lapwing is spread over the northern half 

 of the Eastern Hemisphere, from Ireland to Japan, 

 and from Iceland to Calcutta. In this country it 

 is partially migratory ; for though many reside 

 with us all the year, yet "numbers leave these 



s 



