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Ceylon, p. 963), " though widely distributed throughout the low country, it is somewhat partial 

 in its choice of locality. It is very common in the northern half of the island, as also in the 

 north-western and better-watered eastern districts, being in these parts found at almost every 

 tank and jungle-begirt paddy-field that one visits. In the Western Province it is also abundant, 

 but is chiefly found on pasture-land ; and about Bolgodde frequents marshes and the drier 

 portions of large paddy-fields. In the Amblangoda, Wackwella, and Baddegamma fields and 

 pastures, as also about Matara, it is to be met with in moderate numbers, and is likewise seen 

 further east towards Tangalle and beyond that place. In the dry maritime region of Hamban- 

 tota, Lobipluvia malabarica takes its place principally, though it may there be met with about 

 tanks and marshes in the jungle. Further north, on the Wellaway Korale it is again more 

 common, and ascends the hills at Lemastota to a considerable altitude. It is also to be found 

 on the Uva patnas at times, where Mr. Bligh has seen it near Banderawella at an altitude of 

 about 4000 feet. It likewise frequents suitable localities in Dumbara, but, I understand, chiefly 

 in wet weather, when it is a visitor to that upland from the low country." 



In Burma it is replaced by a closely allied species, Lobivanellus atronuchalis (Blyth), which 

 differs in having a broad white band over the ear-coverts and a white collar on the hind neck, 

 whereas in the present species the white bands over the ear-coverts are continued and meet on 

 the hind neck. 



In general habits the present species appears much to resemble our common European 

 Lapwing, and is even more noisy than that bird. It is generally found near water, though 

 occasionally is seen at some distance from it. Usually it is to be seen singly or in pairs, but in 

 the cold season they collect in small scattered flocks, but seldom in large flocks. 



" Late in April," Mr. Zarudny writes, "near Kara-bend, on the banks of the rivers which 

 are submerged during the floods, I observed both sexes ; the males were wheeling above their 

 mates executing all kinds of aerial evolutions, like the Peewit. About the 27th June theyoun°- 

 had left the nest, and between the 2nd and 12th July to the end of that month they collected 

 in small flocks of from four to eighteen individuals. In each separate family there were from 

 two to four young. Amongst all the Lapwings I have seen this bird runs and flies best. The 

 cry of the male, which is heard in the spring, is loud and melodious, but difficult to reproduce. 

 It is not easy to approach, being shy and always on the alert, and even during nidification they 

 never at the approach of man show the same audacity as other allied species. In summer their 

 food consists of different sorts of orthoptera which abound on the dry prairies and the steppes 

 skirting the rivers. They prefer to remain near the water, and to search for their food on the 

 sand-banks." In India they feed on worms, crickets, beetles, aquatic insects, and larvae, and if 

 pressed by hunger they will feed on offal. Col. Sykes even found corn in their stomachs. 

 Referring to its habits in Ceylon, Col. Legge writes (/. c.) : — "In common, however, with many 

 other species which are so very tame and familiar in India, it is not so fond of the vicinity of 

 human habitations as it is on the mainland ; for although it may be found on pasture-land 

 surrounding villages and hamlets and even close to cottages, it prefers more unfrequented 

 localities, such as the borders of paddy-fields, edges of marshes, meadow-land surrounding laro-e 

 tanks, or the margins of the smaller village ones. Though not strictly a shy bird, it is wary 

 enough to rise when approached before one is within shot of it, and then, when flying round the 



