282 COMMON LAPWING. 



additional rental it may bring- in ; yet there was 

 a charm in these wild pastures, animated by their 

 peculiar inhabitants, that cannot be replaced by 

 any change produced artificially upon them. 



Some Pewits reside constantly with us ; but, at 

 the same time, numbers leave our islands, and 

 others annually perform a periodical migration 

 to the breeding grounds, arriving there with as 

 much regularity as our summer visitants from a 

 distance ; also, it is probable, that we receive a 

 few birds in their removal from other countries. 

 Their breeding stations are the subalpine moors, 

 and the large boggy pastures on their skirts, low 

 meadow grounds, extensive downs or commons, 

 and the fenny counties. These are often at a 

 great distance from the coast, completely inland ; 

 at the same time, a common upon the shore, where 

 the extent is considerable, and the surface varied, 

 is a favourite locality. They assemble there in 

 small flocks or parties, even about the end of 

 February, and gradually separate into pairs to take 

 up their breeding stations.* When incubation 

 has fairly commenced, the common or moor often 

 appears alive with their active motions ; no stran- 

 ger or intruder can enter upon their haunts with- 

 out an examination, and both, or one of the pair, 

 hover and fly around, tumbling arid darting at 

 him, and all along uttering their vehement cry of 

 " Peeswit" When incubation is completed, the 



* llth February, 1842. The Lapwing has already com- 

 menced its inland migration. 



