THE LAPWING. 



This bird breeds early in the spring on heaths and 

 upland situations, in fens and moist fields, and not un- 

 frequently in old fallow land, and is common in most 

 parts of the kingdom. The female is not so brilliant in 

 colour as the male ; some of the feathers of his crest, 

 too, are above three inches in length, but hers are much 

 shorter. 



It is a curious fact, that the eggs of this and some 

 other birds are commonly four, much tapering to the 

 smaller end, and are always placed in a quadrangular 

 manner, touching each other at the smaller ends, by 

 which they occupy the least possible space. As soon 

 as they are hatched, the young make use of their legs ; 

 but they are not able to fly till nearly full-grown. They 

 are not fed by the parents, but led by them in search of 

 food. The name of lapwing has been given this bird 

 from the constant flapping of its wings in flight ; it is 

 also called the pe-wit, from the resemblance of its note 

 to the sound of that word. 



