BIRDS. l6l 



Golden Plover. A pretty bird with yellow and black 

 Charadrius pluvialis. mottled plumage, occurring almost every 

 Oct. Mar. winter in Shropshire on its autumn and 



spring migrations, sometimes numer- 

 ously as in the spring of 1879, and winter of 1895-6. 

 A flight of about 150 was seen on the Weald Moors in 

 Oct. 1889. It nests on moorlands, but is not known to 

 have bred in the County. In the breeding season the 

 breast and under parts are black. 



PEEWIT, or Lapwing B. Often called simply "Plover." 

 Vanellus vulgaris. The first name is from its well-known 



cry, the second from its slowly-flapping 

 flight. " Plovers' eggs " are in great demand as a delicacy 

 for the table. Always four in number and arranged with 

 their pointed ends together, they are laid in a slight hollow 

 in the ground. If anyone approaches the place the 

 parent birds betray great anxiety and strive to lure the 

 intruder away. As in all birds of this order, the young 

 are able to run as soon as hatched, and, if alarmed, 

 separate, and seek safety by squatting close to the ground. 

 Peewits pair off in March, but during the winter go in 

 large flocks, occasionally numbering a thousand or more. 

 They are found chiefly on lowland meadows, or other open 

 country, and are most useful in destroying noxious grubs. 

 They suffer severely in hard frosts. 



Turnstone. Essentially a shore bird, it is not surprising 



Strepsilas interpres. that the Turnstone is very rare in 



Aug. May. Shropshire. One was killed near 



Atcham many years ago, and a young 



bird, shot at Rednal, about 1851, is now in the possession 



of Mrs. Gell, of Bayston Hill. 



