OCR Text |
Show 1874.] LAPWING OF CHILI. 451 Charadrius lampronotus, Wagler, Syst. Av. Charad. n. 48 (1827). Vanellus cayennensis, Schlegel (part.), Mus. P.-B. Cursor, p. 57 (1865); Sclater, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 591. Hab. Venezuela, Guiana, Amazonas, Brazil, Uruguay, Buenos Ayres. Diagn. V. fronte et gula nigris; stria angusta a mento ad pectus nigra ducta; verticis medio brunneo; cervice albida; occipitis fusci crista nigricante; regione parotica et colli lateribus brunneis; dorso virescenti-purpureo; tectricibus alarum exterioribus albis, primariis nigris; spinis alarum carnosis; pectoris fascia lata nigra; abdomine crissoque albis ; cauda a basi ad medium alba, altera parte nigra, apicis margine albo. Rostro rubro, apice nigro ; pedibus rubescenti-bus. Long. tot. 11-5-12 poll., rostr. 1*2, alae 8*5, tib. nud. 1-1*3; tars. 2-75-2-9, dig. med. 1*4. VANELLUS OCCIDENTALIS, mihi. Parra chilensis, Molina, Saggio sulla Stor. Nat. del Chili, p. 205 (1810). Vanellus cayennensis, Bridges, P. Z. S. 1841, p. 94, 1843, p. 117; Gay, Faun. Chil. i. p. 400 (1847); Cassin, Gillis's Expl. Exped. p. 195 (1855) ; Schlegel (part), Mus. P.-B. Curs. p. 57 (186,5). Vanellus chiliensis, Yarrell, P. Z. S. 1847, p. 54. Hab. Chili, Patagonia, Falkland I. (?). Diagn. Similis V. cayennensi sed major; occipite subcristato; tibia plumis longioribus, tarsis pedibusque robustioribus. Fronte et gula nigris ; stria lata a mento ad pectus nigra ducta, line a alba marginata,- verticis medio cinereo; cervice albida; regione parotica et colli lateribus cinereis; dorso virescenti-purpureo; tectricibus alarum exterioribus albis, primariis nigris ; spinis alarum flavicantibus ; pectoris fascia lata nigra; abdomine crissoque albis; cauda a basi ad medium alba, altera parte nigra, apicis margine albo. Rostro rubro, apice nigro ; pedibus rubescentibus. Long. tot. 15-15*5 poll., rostr. 1*2-1*3, alee 9*7-9-9, tib. nud. •6-7, tars. 2-8-2-9, dig. med. 1*4-1*5. If the habits ascribed by Molina to his Parra chilensis are those of the present species, as seems probable, his account of the bird is the fullest which has appeared. It is not altogether free from doubt, however ; for Molina's bird is described as having a small fleshy protuberance on the forehead, a peculiarity which is not observable in the present species. Translated from the Italian his description runs somewhat as follows :- " This bird being well armed defends itself with spirit against all animals, and repulses them by striking at them furiously with its spurs. Notwithstanding that its toes are well divided, it never perches on trees or dwells in elevated spots, but is always found in the plains, where it feeds on worms and insects. It nests amongst |