210 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



numerous round the larger end. Size about 1.85 

 by 1.35 in. (See Plate VII.) 



Time. April, May, and June. 



Remarks. Resident, though subject to southern 

 movement in winter. Notes : peewit, the first 

 syllable long-drawn when used as a call-note, and 

 short when the bird is alarmed. Spring call-note : 

 will-o-wit pee-weet. Local and other names : Pee- 

 wit, Green Plover, Peeweep, Tufit, Crested Lap- 

 wing. Sits lightly. A great deal has been written by 

 some observers to prove that the bird rises straight 

 off its eggs, and by others that it runs for some 

 distance before taking wing. My own experience 

 has been that the bird is exceedingly quick of eye 

 and ear, and if the intruder be discovered at some 

 distance the bird runs before rising ; but if sud- 

 denly alarmed at close quarters it will rise straight 

 off its nest. A good way to find the Lapwing's eggs 

 is to creep very quietly up behind the wall or hedge 

 of a field or pasture in which the birds are known to 

 breed, and then show oneself suddenly, and mark 

 where the birds rise from. 



NEWLY HATCHED LAPWING AND EGGS 



