CHAPTER XIII, 



Sternum of Vanellus cristatus. 



Genus VANELLUS. 



Chahadriin-s: Cauda vix rotundata : sulco nasali obvio : loris caruncula carentibus : alis ssepe Diagnosis 

 calcaratis : rectricibus centralibus ad basin pro parte tertia albis. ° S enus - 



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

 Lobi vanellus, and Charadrius are very distinct, but aberrant examples of the three genera 

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

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

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

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

 where three will amply suffice. 



2d2 



Most con- 

 venient to 

 divide the 

 Lapwings 

 from the 

 Plovers. 



