. BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 327 



LAPWING 



Vanellus cristatus ( Wolf and Meyer) 



No wild bird has, perhaps, to pay so large a tribute in eggs 

 and individuals to man, and yet remains as common and abun- 

 dant, as the Lapwing. 



In early spring he appears on the marsh or water-meadows, 

 where he or his parents before him have been accustomed to 

 spend the summer ; sometimes dry fields at some distance from 

 the water are chosen, but as a rule it is never far from a river, 

 stream, or even a moderate-sized pond. Although many pairs 

 often nest in the same field, fierce battles take place between 

 the males for their chosen mates, but there is more "show" 

 than strife, lengthy aerial chases with much calling out, but 

 very little serious fighting. After these early differences have 

 been overcome, the colony settles down in peace, a few ousted 

 pairs being left to seek new ground. 



When the young are full grown, at about six weeks old, 

 they collect in large flocks and wander over the country. In 

 October and November enormous flocks come over from the 

 Continent and settle often for three weeks or a month in a 

 particular field, which is usually resorted to yearly by these 

 birds. In winter they wander about in search of suitable food, 

 but with the first warm days of February they return north, and 

 March finds them back once more in their summer home. 



The male has the upper parts of a beautiful metallic green, 

 the crown of the head and crest being almost black. Quills 

 black, tipped with grey on the three outer pairs ; tail feathers 

 white, with a broad subterminal band of black on all save the 

 outer pair ; breast black ; under tail-coverts chestnut ; rest of 

 under parts white. In summer the chin and throat are black. 

 The female is duller in colour than the male ; the crest is rather 

 shorter, and the outline of the extended wing is straighter. 

 Length I2"5 in. ; wing 875 in. 



The young bird shows no black on throat ; crest also short. 



