338 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
As may be supposed from the localities it fte- 
quents, the food of the Peewit consists principally of 
worms, grubs, slugs and insects; consequently it 1s 
amongst the very few feathered pets of the gardener, 
and is often kept tame in his garden, and when once 
tamed it becomes very tame, although naturally a 
very wild bird and difficult of approach. 
The nest, like that of others of the family, is a 
very slight affair—a mere hole in the ground, with 
a few bents of rough grass twisted round it. In some 
counties, where Peewits breed in large numbers, the 
eggs are collected and sent to London, where they 
form a standing dish at ball suppers and wedding 
breakfasts, and other such like occasions; but when 
Plovers’ eggs fail I believe Rooks’ eggs are often 
made to take their place, and when prettily done up 
in moss the difference is not noticed, especially by 
the unlearned in such matters. 
In plumage the Peewit is a very handsome and 
peculiar-looking bird, but it is too well known to 
need more than a very general description. The 
beak is black; the irides hazel; the top of the head 
dark green, almost black; from the back of the head 
springs a crest consisting of several very long narrow 
dark green feathers; there is a white streak over the 
eye and a black one under it; the cheeks and sides 
of the neck are dullish white, just tinged with rusty 
brown and streaked with black; nape rusty brown 
and dirty white and black; back, scapulars and ter- 
