K E P T U S C H K A L A PWING .
Vanellus Keptuschka, Temm.
Le Yanneau Keptuschka.
It affords us considerable pleasure that we are enabled to illustrate the old and young o f this very interesting
an rare species o f Vanellw, from a fine adult male kindly forwarded to us by M. Lichtenstein o f Berlin
and from a young bird m the collection o f the Zoological Society o f London, to whom it was presented by
their valued correspondent Keith E. Abbott, Esq., o f Trebiaond. We are also indebted to M. Temminck for
the use o f a spirited oil painting o f this bird, taken from an individual killed in France. M. Lichtenstein
considers the VaneUm K eptm M a and the Vanelks gregarms to be one and the same species/and we find on
reference to the ‘ Systema Avium,' that this was also the opinion o f the lamented Dr. Wagler, who' in his
monograph o f the group has given the preference to the specific appellation o f Keptuschka.
The eastern provinces o f Europe constitute the only portions o f our quarter o f the globe inhabited by this
species: it also frequents the marshes o f Siberia, and is common in Persia and Asia Minor.
Although closely allied to the Common Lapwing o f our island, this bird and a few other species may hereafter
be considered sufficiently distinct from the typical form o f the genus to constitute a separate group
particularly when we have acquired a knowledge o f their habits, mode o f flight, &c.
The adult male has the forehead and a broad stripe surrounding the crown pale huffy white; crown o f the
head, «pace between the bill and the eye, and a narrow line behind the eye deep black ; throat and sides o f
the neck buff, which rs palest on the chin; hack o f the neck, back, rump, scapularies, and wing-coverts light
brownish grey tinged with olive; secondaries pure white; quills deep black; breast dark brownish ash
gradually passing mto deep black on the abdomen, which latter colour terminates posteriorly in rich chestnut •
t lghs, vent, under tail-coverts and two outer tail-featheis pure white; the remainder o f the tail-feathers pure
K M H 1 m° re OT leSS eXte" sive mark o f deeP ■ near their extremities, presenting the appearance
when the feathers are closed o f one large irregular patch ; bill and feet black.
The young has the feathers o f the crown dark brown in the centre, maigined with buff; only a faint indication
o f the band surrounding the crown; sides and back o f the neck, breast, upper surface, and wings dull
olive brown with paler margins ; chin and abdomen white ; secondaries, quills, and tail as in the male.
. .The figures are o f the natural size.