CHAPTEE XIII, 



sternum of Vanelliis cristatus. 



Genus VANELLUS. 



ChakadriiNjE Cauda vix rotundatS, : sulco nasali obvio : loris carunculg, carentibus : alis sjepe Diagnosis 

 calcaratis : rectricibus centralibus ad basin pro parte terti^ albis. of genus. 



The Lapwings and the Plovers are very closely allied. Typical examples of Vanellus, Most con- 

 Lohivanellus, and Charadrius are very distinct, but aberrant examples of the three genera '^f^.i^nt to 

 sometimes approach each other very nearly. Nature has not very clearly differentiated Lapwings 

 these three genera ; but since they contain more than sixty species, it is necessary for the pf"^ ^^^ 

 practical ornithologist to cease to be a " lumper " and become a " splitter." There is, 

 hovrever, no need of any kind to rush into the opposite extreme, and make a score of genera 

 where three will amply suffice. 



2d2 



