OF THE/ BIRDS MENTIONED 131 
in an old rathole 2 or 3 feet deep, but sometimes away 
from water. Always well hidden. Materials: The 
eggs are simply laid on a heap of fish bones, said to be 
vomited by the birds. Eggs: Pure polished ivory- 
. white. Five or six. 
8. LAPWING 
(Pages 93-97) 
Vanellus cristatus (one of the Presstrostres—flattened 
beaked birds—as the oyster catcher, dotterel, etc.). 
Syn.: Peewit (from its cry), Crested Plover (from its 
crest), Green Plover (from its plumage, and to contrast 
it with the Golden Plover), Stone Plover (the birds 
cleverly turn stones over to find the worms, grubs, 
etc., underneath them). Known at once by the 
crest, composed of a few feathers protruding hori- 
zontally backwards from its head, and which it can 
erect at will, and its (usual) mode of slow flizht (often in 
flocks) ‘lapping’ its wings (hence name). Also by its 
plaintive ‘ Pee-wit’ cry. Inhabits (chiefly) marshy 
ground and fallow lands. Migratory, but many remain 
the whole year. They wander far and often (mostly in 
flocks) in search of food. Length: about 14 inches. 
Food: Grubs and worms, etc., often taken at night 
when they leave their holes. A local flock will visit a 
recently ploughed field many times regularly at night- 
