Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/270

Rh face, neck, and breast are of a deep and rich black, with a green gloss; from the hind head springs a most elegant crest of long black feathers, curving upwards, capable of being erected; the upper parts of the body are pale olive brown, with metallic reflections of purple and blue; the sides of the head, the base of the tail, and whole under parts are pure white, except the under tail-coverts, which as well as the upper are chestnut; the tail is black. It is about as large as a pigeon.

The Lapwing is spread over the northern half of the Eastern Hemisphere, from Ireland to Japan, and from Iceland to Calcutta. In this country it is partially migratory; for though many reside with us all the year yet "numbers leave these