130 GRALLJE. 



conductor of heat than the land, not only resists the same 

 extent in the change of its temperature, but resists its progress 

 so as to delay it in time, and hence the waters continue cool 

 after the return of the season has begun to warm the land. 



The difference between the sea and land seasons in any 

 place depends upon a variety of circumstances, some of which 

 are very difficult to be estimated, and others have probably 

 not been at all mentioned. The maximum variation may be 

 stated at about two months, and the minimum at probably not 

 less than one month. So that if the ptarmigan on the Gram- 

 pians acquires its perfect winter plumage in November, and 

 its full nuptial tints in April, the sanderling on the beach 

 should recover its in January and July respectively. 



ORALLY HAVING FOUR TOES. 



The birds in this division are far more numerous, and also 

 more varied both in their haunts and their habits, than those 

 in the former. Generally speaking, they have more the habit 

 of wading, either in the shallows of the permanent waters, or 

 in places that are inundated. Their bills and feet vary much 

 in form, and their wings are not used in the capture of their 

 food, so that they have no characters more general than the 

 generic ones, and even these are sufficiently loose. 



THE CRESTED LAPWING (Vanillus cristatus). 



The crested lapwing is one of those birds that require little 

 description, as, wherever it inhabits, especially in the breed- 

 ing season, it is sure to make itself known by its incessant 

 wailing cry ofpee-weet, its curious and tumbling flight round 

 the head of the visitor, and the beauty of its streaming crest, 

 and the lively contrast of its colours. 



A figure of the male in the breeding plumage is given on 

 the plate at page 112, immediately over that of the dotterel, 

 and one-sixth of the lineal dimension, or one-half as much in 

 proportion to the length of the bird. 



