238 CHARADRIIDA 
however, be inspected at a short distance, otherwise it might 
pass un- noticed as it stands motionless on the dark fallowed 
soil, for much of its white flanks and breast is obscured by 
the large over-lapping wings. But the instant a Lapwing 
rises its magpie-like plumage becomes noticeable, while the 
expansive rounded wings,’ flapping up and down with steady 
beat, are unmistakable. 
Flight.—The quiet and slow flight of this species offers 
an interesting contrast to the swift movements of most 
shore-birds, as they cleave the air. In autumn and winter 
Lapwings congregate into great flocks, and when on the 
wing with Golden Plover or other swift-flying ‘ waders,’ 
imitate the movements of the latter. I have seen Lapwings 
increase their speed very considerably at times, and their 
powers of twisting and turning sharply on the wing often 
save them from the clutch of the Peregrine Falcon ; the 
terror which they show at the sight of the latter is intense. 
Possessed of remarkable powers of endurance on the wing, 
they may be seen rising to an immense height and then 
circling about for hours before coming to rest. 
This species, though strong on the wing, is not hardy in 
other respects, and is easily overcome by stress of weather ; 
in severe frost and snow I have noticed it very tame, often 
frequenting lawns and grass-plots of dwelling-houses. 
Food.—This bird partakes of a mixed diet. When 
feeding inland, it eats worms, insects, seeds, and sometimes 
berries, while crabs, small shell-fish, and fragments of 
seaweed, are consumed along the sea-shore. 
Mr. J. K. Harting examined the stomachs of many 
Lapwings, and proved that those which had frequented 
grass-land upon a sandy soil, fed chiefly upon small beetles, 
which were mixed with minute particles of grit: the 
stomachs obtained on down-land upon a chalky soil con- 
tained fragments of snails (Helix virgata and H. caperata). 
Voice.—The name of Peewit has been appropriately 
given to this Plover on account of its voice. 
' In the ‘ Ibis,’ 1904, pp. 446-451, Mr. F. W. Frohawk contributes an 
interesting paper on ‘ Sexual variation in the wing of the Lapwing.’ In 
the male the primaries are long and broad and give a curved outline, 
while the secondaries, being considerably shorter, add greatly to the 
rounded appearance of the expanded wing. In the female the margin of 
the expanded wing forms a continuous line; the primaries are pro- 
portionately shorter and in flight the wings appear narrower and less 
rounded. 
