CHAPTEE XII. 



Sternum of Lobivanellus pectoralis. 



Genus LOBIVANELLUS. 



Diagnosis of CharadriiNjE loris carunculis ornatis. 



genus. 



Generic 

 characters. 



Taxonomic 

 value of 

 wattles. 



The Wattled Lapwings are closely related to the species contained in the genus Vanellus, 

 but may be distinguished from them, as well as from all the other species belonging to the 

 family, by the possession of lobes or wattles attached to the skin between the eyes and the 

 base of the bill. 



It is somewhat doubtful whether the presence or absence of a lobe or wattle on the 

 side of the head be a generic character of real value, but its appearance in the young in 

 first plumage suggests an ancient origin. It is quite possible that wattles, as well as 

 spurs or hind toes, have been independently acquired or lost, and that the Wattled 

 Lapwings are not more closely related to each other than they are to some of the Lapwings 

 without wattles. But whether the genus Lobivanellus be a natural or an artificial one (the 

 determination of which must be left to the decision of the anatomists), it is at least a very 



