104 



FAMILIAR WILD IlIRDS. 



handsome^ the markino-s being- paler and not so distinct, 

 and the feathers on the breast are brown. 



In relation to the eonfiding nature of tiiis bird, it 

 may be remarked that its name vtorinellKn literally 

 means ''a little fool/' about as uncomplimentary a title, 

 perhaps, ns any bestowed upon any member of the feathered 

 tribes. An old idea concerning- the bird was that it imi- 

 tated the movements of the s[)ort4?man or fowler, and ^Ir. 

 Yarrell, in his description of the Dotterel, quotes a passag-e 

 from Drayton to this eifect '•—\)(^ 



A " Xhe Uottert'l, whitli we think a very dainty dijsli, 



Whose taking makes sucli si)ort, as no man more can wisli, 



For as you creep, or cower, or lie, or stoop, or go, 



So marking you with care, the apish hird doth do ; 



And acting ever\ thing, doth never mark the net, 



Vill he he in the snare which men for liim have set. "J 



