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T a b . L X X V I I I .
V ANE LLUS GOENSIS.
T his species is not figured in the “ Century” as a bird unknown to science, for we believe it to be synonymous
with the Goa Lajnviiig o f atithoi-s, but rather with a view of illustrating the only s|)ecies of the genus to
which it belongs that has hitherto been brought to Europe from the Himalayan mountains.
In size it is something inferior to our Lapwing, or Peewit, though the great length of its legs and more
slender contour of body render it the more elegant and graceful bird of the two. The Vunellus Goensis enjoys
a vci-y widely e.xtcnded locality, being met with over nearly the whole of the Eastern continent, and it has
even been received from China. In all these countries, marshy and reedy sjjots are its most favourite jilaces
of resort, where mollusca, worms and insects, constitute its principal food.
As in all the re st of its fiimily, there are no distinguishable marks o f difference in the jilumage o f the se.xes.
The head, occiput, back o f the neck, throat, anterior aspect of the neck, and chest, are deep black ; tho
circle o f naked skin, with a jirocess e.xteiiding towards the beak, are r e d ; the sides of the neck and whole of
the under parts arc wliitc ; the back and wing-coverts are ashy brown with a tinge o f vinous, which especially
predominates on the shoulders ; outer scapularies and the lowest coverts white, forming an oblique band
across the wing; quills black ; tail white, with a band of black crossing the centre ; bill red at the base, and
black at the tip ; legs yellow ; toes brown.
The figure is of an adult o f the natural size.
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