190 THe LAPWING. 
up into several smaller companies, which after a while usually 
rejoin the main body. Perhaps this time they may make a fallow 
field their destination, and on arriving there swoop down close to 
the ground with an apparent intention of settling, but no—the 
flock is up in the air once more, going through a great many 
evolutions in like manner, after which they finally make in another 
direction. Against the dark background of “red’’ Jand the 
birds are seen to great advantage, one second appearing in a nice 
black coat with narrow strip of white at tail, and the next in a 
vivid white and black. 
As an edible bird, the lapwing is inferior to the golden 
plover, but nevertheless is not to be despised. The wings of the 
lapwing, it will be noticed, are not pointed as in other plovers, 
but are rounded instead, and consequently have a much slower 
and heavier mode of flight. 
The lapwing is one of the best friends the agriculturist has 
got, as it destroys a very large number of worms, caterpillars, 
and other injurious insects, which might do a great deal of harm 
if left undisturbed, and it should therefore be accorded a greater 
degree of protection than that at present afforded to it. Not- 
withstanding its merits, however, it is shot at wherever found by 
gunners whose sole object is to make up a bag. Luckily the 
birds get extremely wary, and are not easily got at by the 
ordinary gun, but a very large quantity must fall victims annually 
to the deadly punt gun with its raking charge of shot. 
The cunning reynard, too, it may be mentioned, does not 
object to a lapwing for supper, as many a feather-strewn patch 
in some quiet nook plainly testifies. The lapwing is said to 
make a very nice garden pet, when it will prove itself of the 
greatest possible use in destroying all worms, slugs, and noxious 
insects found there. 
Note on Gotp Toucu Piece or Cuaries II. Exhibited by Mr 
Jas. Davipson, Summerville. By Mr Davipson. 
I exhibit a Gold Touch Piece of Charles II., which may be 
of interest to the members. 
The English Sovereigns, according to the ancient custom 
of “Touching for the King’s evil ’’ or scrofula, by which it was 
supposed that persons afflicted by that malady could be healed 
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