238 
BLACK-BODIED LAPWING. 
The size is about that of our Lapwing, and the 
colouring, which is very peculiar, will be better 
understood perhaps by the figure than by the fol- 
lowing description. The whole of the top of the 
head and nape are of the deepest black, the nape 
having a short crest ; this black is isolated by a 
broad collar of white across the upper part of the 
neck, and this unites with the white which spreads 
over the sides only of the head, neck, and breast ; 
from the chin to the breast is a broad black stripe, 
which terminates somewhat in a point. Upper 
plumage drab-brown, but the upper tail-covers, as 
well as the lower, are white ; quills deep black, but 
the lesser ones are more or less white at their base ; 
tertials drab. Tail quite even and black ; the base 
of the feathers white ; from the breast to the belly 
the colour is deep black ; but the vent, flanks, thighs, 
inner wing-covers, and under tail-covers, are all pure 
white. The wings are about half an inch longer 
than the tail, the two outermost feathers of which 
are slightly tipt with white ; the spur on the shoul- 
der is deep black and very acute. 
We question whether Edwards' figure, pi. 47, is 
of this species, as he mentions the head is glossed 
with green and the body with blue, neither of which 
tints are seen in our Senegal specimens, or in others 
we have received from India. 
Total length about lOg inches; bill, from the front, 
1; wings, tarsus, 2 j b j ; middle toe and claw, 
1 t 2 5 ; inner toe shortest. 
