Variation in the Winy of the Lapwing. 451 



2nd. The length of the crest. 

 3rd. The general coloration of the plumage of 

 the ? , which is a good deal paler than that 

 of the $ . 

 4th. The size, the ? being usually smaller than 

 the <J. 

 The bill of the $ is considerably longer than that of the 

 £ , while the crest of the $ is generally twice the length of 

 that of the ? . 



The following are measurements of four specimens, which 

 are about average examples : — 



<$ . 8th Feb., 1904. — Culmen f in., crest 3^ in., expanse of 

 wings 29 in.; total length 12| in., wing 9£ in. Weight 

 lOf ozs. 



£ . 13th Feb., 1904. — Culmen § in., crest 4j in., expanse 

 of wings 28i in. ; total length 13 in., wing 9j in. Weight 

 8§ ozs. 



? . 9th June, 1903. — Culmen 1 in., crest 2 in., expanse 

 of wings 26f in. ; total length 12 in., wing 8J in. Weight 

 6^ ozs. 



? . 15th Feb., 1904. — Culmen 1 in., crest 2 in., expanse 

 of wings 27 in.; total length 12^ in., wing 8f in. Weight 

 6% ozs. 



The colour of the legs and feet varies from light lilac-red 

 to dull brown-pink. Iris very dark hazel ; bill black. [Cf. 

 Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, 1904, vol. xiv. p. 62.] 



The flock of Lapwings which I kept under observation 

 during the past winter consisted at the beginning of 

 November of about forty birds ; it gradually increased until 

 the middle of January, when the numbers approached a 

 thousand. These were accompanied by a flock of about a 

 hundred Golden Plovers. When the Lapwings took to flight 

 they were always closely followed by the Golden Plovers, 

 which kept just in the rear, with their steady gliding flight 

 in great contrast to that of the Lapwings. 



