BRITISH BIRDS. 173 



281. Eudromias morinellus (Linn.). DOTTEREL. 



Hab. Northern and Central Europe and W. Asia. In 

 winter reaching N. Africa. 



Adult : feathers above greyish-brown, with paler or 

 sandy margins ; crown nearly black ; above eye a broad 

 white stripe, running downward and backward to hind 

 neck ; forehead, lores and cheeks white with small dusky 

 spots ; upper throat white ; lower throat greyish-brown, 

 becoming black on margin of a narrow white pectoral 

 band ; lower breast and sides rufous ; centre of abdo- 

 men black ; vent white ; bill blackish ; tarsi dark 

 greenish- slate. Length 875. In winter black of belly is 

 absent. 



Probably still breeds in the Lake district and in several 

 parts of Scotland, but elsewhere is- only met with on 

 migration. A very rare visitor to Ireland. 



GENUS CLIX. VANELLUS, Brisson (1760). 



Bill as in Charadrius. Wings broad and rounded. 

 Tarsus scutellated anteriorly ; hind toe present but small. 

 Head with an erectile crest of long pointed recurved 

 feathers. 



282. Vanellus vanellus (Linn.). LAPWING. 



Hab, Palasarctic region. 



Breeds commonly almost everywhere ; in winter wholly 

 gregarious and partially migratory. Frequents waste land, 

 dry marshes, or meadows. Eggs : 4 ; vaiying from warm 

 buff to light olive, blotched and spotted with brownish- 

 black ; 175 by 1*30. Familiar note is expressed in its 

 local names, "Peewit," "Peesweep," etc., but in spring 

 the male utters more varied love-notes. Also known 

 as "Green Plover." 



