STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



THE LAPWING. 



Often, in some solitary walks over the fields or commons, you may see 

 a number of birds with large wings fl}'ing over head, uttering a curious note, 

 like the word " pee-wee," or " pee-o-wee." The wings look larger than they 

 really are, on account of the black colour underneath contrasting with the 

 pure white of the body. And the birds move, and tumble, and glide about 

 in the air in the most spirited manner, flapping their wings with violence. 



They perform this feat for no particular reason, but simply to amuse 

 themselves while their mates are sitting at home and hatching the eggs. The 

 nest is in some part of a moor or field where the grass is short, and it is 

 slightly built of a (qw stems put together in a hollow place, and, because of 

 the colour ot the eggs, it is very seldom seen. But, should your feet turn in 

 that direction, the mother bird will spy you out, even at a great distance. 

 She will rise up and approach you, flying about in a state of excitement, and 

 trying to lead you from the nest. And the lapwings in the neighbourhood, 

 as if quite understanding the matter, will come and join her, and fly, and flap, 

 and " pee-wee " over your head with great energy. 



All at once, however, it appears as if the mother lapwing had suddenly 

 become lame. She runs limping along, and it seems the easiest thing on 

 earth to catch her. She will allow you to come very near indeed, and entice 

 you to a great distance. Then, when all danger is over, she will spring up, 

 as if laughing in your face, and fly ofi". 



The laj^wing has, as you see, a beautiful crest of black feathers upon his 

 head. His neck and throat are a deep rich black, with a gloss of green. 

 The sides of the head and neck are white, with a black shade under the eye. 

 The upper parts of the body are a pale brown, with shades of blue and purple, 

 and the under parts are pure white, while the tail is black. 



The lapwing is larger than the plover, and differs from it in having 

 a minute hind toe. Like the plovers, the lapwings migrate in the winter to the 

 sea-side, and numbers of them leave us altogether, and return in the spring. 



Large downs and sheep walks, heaths, pastures, and rather wet meadow 

 land, are the favourite haunts of the birds. At the season when their family 

 cares begin, the moors seem alive with them. 



