CREAM-COLOURED COURSER. — Cursdniw GdlHcus. 



narrow black streak runs from tlie eyes over the ear-coverts, and round the throat, forming 

 the " collar," by which the bird is so readily known. The breast is light brown, and the 

 abdomen, as well as the upper tail-coverts, is white. The quill-feathers of the wings are 

 dark blackish brown, and the deeply forked tail is white at its basal half, and dark 

 blackish brown to the tip. 



The very rare bird which, on account of its speed of foot and the colour of its 

 plumage, is termed the Ceeam-coloured Courser, is found even less frequently than the 

 preceding species. 



It seems to live chiefly in Barbary or Abyssinia, though specimens have been obtained 

 from almost every country in Europe. One of these birds, shot in Kent, was remarkable 

 for its boldness. When the gun that was aimed at it missed fire, the bird only flew away 

 for a short distance, and then alighted within a hundred yards of the gunner. It ran 

 with great velocity, picking up objects from the ground in its course, and it was with 

 ditflculty raised from tlie ground so as to afford a fair shot. The note of this species is 

 very peculiar, and is uttered on the wing. 



The crown of the head is fav/n, fading into' grey behind, and the chin is white. From 

 the eye over the ear-coverts is a black curved streak, and immediately above it is a similar 

 white streak. The whole upper parts of the body are pale reddish brown, the primary 

 feathers of the wing are jetty black, and there is a curious black spot near the end of each 

 tail-feather. The whole under surface is cream-white, becoming white on the under tail- 

 coverts. Both sexes are similarly coloured, and the total length is rather more than 

 ten inches. 



The well-known Lapwing, or Peewit, is celebrated for many reasons. Its wheeling, 

 flapping flight is so peculiar as to attract the notice of every one who has visited the 

 localities in which it resides, and its strange, almost articulate, cry is equally familiar. 

 When it fears danger, it rises from the nest, or rather from the eggs, into the air, and 

 continually wheels around the intruder, its black and white plumage flashing out as it 

 inclines itself in its flight, and its mournful cry almost fatiguing the ear with its piercing 



