2l6 DOTTEREL. 



The Dotterel has the character of being a fooHsh bird, and 

 is said to get thus both its English and Latin names (morinellus 

 being by some associated with morio, a Fool or Jester). But the 

 fact is probably the other way ; Dotterels are not so called because 

 they resemble men that dote^ and are foolish ; but silly men are 

 compared to Dotterels, because they are considered as silly birds. 

 Oddly enough, some other water-birds are regarded as foolish, and 

 the words Goose and Giill^ Booby and Noddy are not complimentary 

 when applied to human beings. 



Gesner, in his " Historia Animalium," (1585) cites a des- 

 cription sent him by Dr. Key, which Willughby renders as 

 follows : — " It (the Dotterel) is taken in the night time by the 

 light of a candle by imitating the gesture of the Fowler : For if he 

 stretches out an Arm, that also stretches out a Wing ; if he a Foot 

 that likewise a Foot ; In brief, whatever the Fowler doth, the same 

 doth the Bird; and so being intent upon men's gestures it is 

 deceived, and covered with the Net spread for it. I call it morinellus 

 for two reasons, first because it is frequent amongst the Morini 

 (Flemmings); and next because it is a foolish bird even to a Proverb, 

 we calling a foolish dull person a Dotterel." 



Most worthy man, with thee 'tis even thus, 

 As men take Dotterels so hast thou ta'en us ; 

 Which as a man his arm or leg doth set, 

 So this fond bird will likewise counterfeit. 



Drayton— To Coryat. 



Drayton again alludes to the same fancy ; 



The DottereU, which we thinke a very daintie dish, 

 Whose taking makes such sport, as man no more can wish, 

 For as you creepe, or cowere, or lye, or stoupe, or goe, 

 So marking you (with care) the Apish bird doth doe ; 

 And acting everything, doth never marke the net, 

 'Till he be in the Snare, which men for him have set. 



— Polyolbion, 25th Song. 



The Dotterel is very good eating, and has long held this repute. 

 In the Northumberland "Household Book" (c 1512) this entry 

 occurs : " Item Dottrells to be bought for my Lorde when thay ar 

 in season and to be had at jd. a pece." They have certainly not lost 

 their esteem, for " they sell now," says Yarrell, " in the London 

 game-shops for as much as seven or eight shillings the couple." 



