180 



LOBIVANELLUS. 



that these characters harmonize so well with the geographical distribution of the species 

 which possess them is strong evidence of their taxonomic value. The presence or absence 

 of a hind toe, on the other hand, is obviously of less genetic value. In the first place, 

 because it is easy to assume that the hind toe, which has become rudimentary from disuse, 

 might become obsolete independently, whilst it is impossible to suppose that the rudimentary 

 wattle acquired by the ancestral species of Wattled Lapwings should have been independently 

 developed in a three-toed, as well as in a four-toed, subgenus, to almost precisely the same 

 model. And in the second place, because the large-wattled species of India is connected 

 with the large-wattled species of Australia, through a large-wattled species in Sumatra and 

 Java ; and the various small-wattled species form an unbroken line from Mongolia through 

 China, Cochin China, to East Australia ; whilst there is no three-toed species between 

 India and East Australia. 



In constructing a key to the species, I have made what I regard as a natural key for 

 adult birds, and a more artificial one for young in first plumage. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



A. — With large wattles, almost meeting across the forehead, and hanging down on 

 each side of the bill. 



A hind toe 



albiceps • • 

 senegalensis ■ 

 lateralis • ■ 



cucullatus 

 lobatus . . . 

 personatus • 

 malabaricus • 



i> Forehead and crown white. 



Flanks very dark. 



Wing-coverts uniform greyish 

 brown. 



Black on forehead and crown 

 y disappearing in a point on 

 J the nape. 



All these species except the last are furnished with well-developed spurs on the wing. 

 Some of these characters are not found in young in first plumage. 



