GAME BIRDS, GULLS, ETC. 203 
by no means easy to find, even when the bird has left 
it, although the eggs are large, and are conspicuous 
enough when held in the hand. Selecting a suitable 
hollow in the ground, the bird carpets it with a few 
grass-stems, and thereupon places her four eggs, which 
are always carefully arranged in the form of a cross, 
The Lapwing. 
with the smaller ends lying inwards. This bird, by 
the way, is generally responsible for the “ plovers’ 
eggs” which by epicures are considered so great a 
dainty. The breeding season commences somewhat 
early in the year. 
