The Lapwing. 371 



endeavouring to imitate the actions of the fowler, and 

 thereby falling into the snare laid for him ; but they 

 ought to be entirely disbelieved. 



THE LAPWING, OE PEEWIT. 

 ( Vanellus cristatus.) 



THIS well-known bird is found in nearly all countries, 

 and is of the size of a common pigeon. The female lays 

 four or five eggs, of a yellow colour, varied all over with 

 large black spots and strokes. Lapwings build their 

 nests on the ground in the middle of some field or heath, 

 open and exposed to view, laying only some few straws 

 under the eggs : so soon as the young are hatched, they 

 instantly forsake the nest, running away with the shell 

 on their back, and following the mother, only covered 

 with a kind of down, like young ducks. The parents 

 have been impressed by nature with the most attentive 

 love and care for their offspring ; for if the fowler, or 

 any other enemy, should come near the nest, the female, 

 panting with fear, lessens her call to make her enemies 

 believe that she is much further off, and thereby deceives 

 those that search for her brood ; she also sometimes pre- 

 tends to be wounded, and utters a faint cry as she limps 

 away, to lead the fowler from her nest. This bird is 

 really beautiful, although it does not exhibit that gaudi* 

 ness of colours of which other species of the feathered 

 tribe can boast: it weighs about half-a-pound. Tho 

 head, and the crest which elegantly adorns it, is black ;, 



