BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



303 



Xapwing, 



THE Lapwing (Vanellus cristatus, Wolf and Meyer) is a 

 resident species in the British Islands, and is also an in- 

 habitant of the Palearctic Region. The adult male in 

 nuptial plumage has the upper parts green, with glossy re- 

 flections of bluish-purple and reddish-purple ; upper tail- 

 coverts, bright chestnut ; tail-feathers have the basal half 

 white ; rest, black, tipped with white ; excepting outermost 

 ones, which are nearly white ; the crown and crest feathers, 

 black, glossed with green ; sides of neck, whitish ; face, 

 throat, and upper portion of breast, black, tinged with blue ; 

 abdomen, white ; under tail-coverts, chestnut; irides, brown ; 

 bill, black ; legs and feet, brownish-red. Length, about 

 thirteen inches. The female is duller in colour than male, 

 and crest shorter. The young birds show no black on 

 throat ; crest also short. 



