172 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



taking of its eggs in large numbers, the species in some parts 

 of Scotland is on the increase. 



Eange outside the British Islands. — The Lapwing is found 

 throughout the whole of Europe and Northern Asia, nesting 

 even in the Mediterranean countries. In Europe it breeds 

 as far as the Arctic Circle, and in Asia up to 65° N. lat. In 

 winter it extends to Northern Africa, North-western India, and 

 Southern China. 



Habits. — In the open and marshy countries which this species 

 loves to frequent the musical note of the Peewit is a distinctive 

 feature. It is also to be heard on the moors and pasture-lands, 

 especially on the fallow ground. Although this Plover is to be 

 seen at all times of the day, it becomes much more active 

 towards evening, and feeds a great deal during the night. 

 Throughout the summer it is a faithful friend to the farmer, 

 and devours large numbers of grubs, slugs, &c. It is, there- 

 fore, a most useful bird to keep in a garden, where its useful- 

 ness and beauty greatly commend themselves, but it is said 

 that the Peewit is an irresistible attraction to any prowling 

 cat. In the winter the flocks of Peewits betake themselves to 

 the sea-shore, where they feed on marine insects and small 

 molluscs, and it is a beautiful sight to see a large flock of these 

 birds winging their way seawards as evening approaches. They 

 often go through some aerial evolutions, their white breasts 

 being very conspicuous as they turn towards the setting sun, 

 while the whole flock seems to disappear for an instant as they 

 wheel away from the light of the latter. 



The Peewit is at all seasons more or less gregarious, but more 

 decidedly so in winter. It nests in scattered colonies, and, as 

 is w^ell known, its nests are much harried for the sake of the 

 eggs, which are greatly esteemed as an article of food. The 

 eggs are never very easy to discover, and would be still more 

 difficult to find were it not for the anxiety which the birds 

 evince when any intruder approaches the nests or young birds. 

 They fly round and round, uttering a continued note of pee-a- 

 weet-a-weet. The downy young are very difficult to discover, 

 as their plumage so closely harmonises with their surroundings, 

 while the attention of the observer is generally called off by 

 the unhappy parent birds, who tumble and flutter about as if 

 wounded. 



