BIEDS. 



353 



great variety of devices to draw any intruder away from the 

 vicinity of the nest or young ; feigning lameness, or allowing 

 a wing to droop as if it were broken, and thus tempting the 

 inexperienced visitor to follow in the hope of taking the bird 

 prisoner. 



Besides different species of Plovers, this family contains the 

 Lapwing or Peewit ( Vanellics cr{s!atus). To this bii-d the term 

 " elegant " is peculiarly appropriate, from its figure, its crest, 

 its plumage, and the ease and vivacity of every movement. 

 The English name Lapwing is given because of the slow move- 

 ment of its wings in flight. Its peculiar note has suggested 

 the other name of Peewit. The French convey an idea of its 

 cry by the words dix-huit* It gives life and interest to the 

 wildest moor. The stratagems it employs for the safety of its 

 young are well known, and are mentioned by every observer 

 of its habits. 



Gruid<e. — The common Crane {Grus ctncrea., Fig. 277) is a 

 very rare visitant in England ; 

 and in Ireland has been un- 

 known for more than a century. f 

 Mr. Gould says, " Flocks of the 

 birds are seen at stated times 

 in France and Germany, pass- 

 ing northwards and southwards, 

 as the season may be, in mar- 

 shalled order, high in the air, 

 their sonorous voices distinctly 

 heard, even from their elevated 

 course." It is said to winter 

 in Africa. 



Ardeidce. — The common 

 Heron {Ardea cinerea) is pro- 

 bably one of the best known 

 birds belonging to the present 

 order. Its motionless attitude 

 as it watches for its prey in the 

 shallow of the river or the sea, 

 cannot fail to have attracted Fig. 277.-Craxk. 



attention, adding, as it not unfrequently does, to the pictu- 



* M. Edwards' Elemeiis, p. 121. 



t Smith, in his History of Cork, states it was seen during the remarkable 

 frost of 1739. Thompson's Report on Uie Irish Fauna. 



