214 



VANELLUS. 



Specific 

 characters. 



Geographi- 

 cal distribu- 

 tion. 



Accidental 

 occurrences. 



Nearest 

 ally. 



The White-tailed Lapwing was probably first discovered by Savigny, but the publica- 

 tion of the results of his discoveries in Egypt was delayed in consequence of his loss of 

 sight, so that Lichtenstein's name took precedence and became generally adopted. The 

 bird was, however, accurately described by Temminck in 1807 (Cat. Syst. Cab. d'Orn. 

 pp. 172, 261) under the name of " Le Vanneaux a queue blanche, ou Vanneaux echassier 

 d'Egypte." Unfortunately no Latin name was given to the species by Temminck, nor can 

 I find any authority for the name of Vanellus Jlavipes, which Cuvier says was given to it by 

 Savigny. 



The White-tailed Lapwing may always be recognized when adult by its pure white 

 tail; and even young in first plumage only show slight traces of the black band at or near 

 the tip. 



The White-tailed Lapwing breeds in the salt steppes of Western Turkestan (Severtzoff, 

 Journ. Orn. 1873, p. 366) and winters in North-east Africa and North India. Brehm's 

 statement (Journ. Orn. 1866, p. 386) that it undoubtedly breeds in Egypt is denied by 

 Heuglin, who only observed it during September to April, from Egypt to East Kordofan, and 

 mentions its occurrence as far south as the Blue Nile. I have several examples from various 

 localities in North India ; Jerclon records it as far east as Calcutta, and it is very common 

 all the winter in Southern Afghanistan (Col. Swinhoe, Ibis, 1882, p. 120). It is common in 

 Southern Persia and Baluchistan from March to September (Blanford, Eastern Persia, 

 ii. p. 280). 



On migration it has occurred accidentally in various parts of Europe ; at Montpellier 

 in the south of France (Jaub. et Barth. Richesse Orn. p. 452), Malta (Wright, Ibis, 1865, 

 p. 459), Sarepta in South Russia (Cabanis, Journ. Orn. 1873, p. 80), and it is doubtfully 

 recorded from Algeria (Loche) and Senegal (Schlegel). 



It appears to be nearest allied to V. gregarius. 



VANELLUS CRASSIROSTRIS. 



LONG-TOED LAPWING. 

 Diagnosis. Vanellus remigibus omnibus (prima, secunda et tertia exceptis) omnino albis. 



Variations. It is not known that this species varies in any way. 



