LAPWINGS. 



481 



The first toe may or may not be present, and the presence or absence of 

 that toe affords grounds for dividing the group into two sections, which some 

 writers (whom we follow) consider worthy of generic distinction; the four-toed 

 types being termed Vanellus, while those with but three toes are designated 

 Hoplopterus. About fourteen species of lapwings are generally recognised ; these 

 being distributed over the temperate and tropical portions of Europe, Asia, 

 Africa, and South America. These birds derive their common English name from 

 their slow and flapping flight, which is at the same time graceful, and often very 

 erratic. In general habits they closely resemble the plovers, but most of them are 

 gregarious at all seasons ; and in summer their favourite haunts are open downs, 



COMMON LAPWING ( nat. size). 



moors, fallows, or marshy commons, although some kinds seek the neighbourhood 

 of the coast in winter. Partially nocturnal, their food comprises insects, worms, 

 and molluscs ; and their well-known cries are loud and frequently melancholy in 

 tone. Their nesting-habits and eggs are similar to those of the plovers. 



Four-Toed The common lapwing (Vanellus cristatus) is the typical repre- 



Lapwings. sentative of its genus, and such a familiar bird as to need but little in 

 the way of description. Belonging to a group in which there is no spur on the 

 wing, this species is specially distinguished by the combination of a metallic lustre 

 on the green plumage of the upper-parts, and the absence of white on the wing- 

 coverts ; while it is also the only member of the two genera in which both the 

 upper and under tail-coverts are chestnut-buff. The crest is of great length. This 

 handsome bird has the widest geographical range of any of the lapwings, extending 

 VOL. iv. 31 



