The Birds of Shakespeare 
Lucio, the Euphuist, in Measure for Measure, 
confesses 
Tis my familiar sin, 
With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, 
Tongue far from heart.1 
The wILD DUCK or MALLARD is taken 
by Shakespeare as a symbol of cowardice 
and uxoriousness. Falstaff, after robbing 
the travellers on the highway, without the 
help of the two chief members of the 
gang, declares, 
An the Prince and Poins be not two arrant 
cowards, there’s no equity stirring: there’s no 
more valour in that Poins than in a wild duck.? 
In the description of the flight of Cleopatra 
from the battle of Actium, the conduct of 
her Roman lover is thus given : 
The noble ruin of her magic, Antony, 
Claps on his sea-wing, and like a doting mallard, 
Leaving the fight in height, flies after her.® 
The DABCHICK, DIVE-DAPPER or LITTLE 
GREBE is portrayed in a dainty little vig- 
1 Measure for Measure, 1. iv. 31. 21 Henry 177. 1. 1. GG: 
3 Antony and Cleopatra, it. X. 19. 
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