516 CHARADRIIDxE. 



lower part of the tibiae naked. Feet four-toed ; three before, one behind, 

 united at the base by a membrane ; hind toe very short, articulated upon 

 the tarsus. Tarsi reticulated. Wings large, tuberculated or spurred in 

 front of the carpal joint ; the first three quill-feathers shorter than the 

 fourth and fifth, which are the longest in the wing. 



THE LAPWING, or PEEWIT, is one of the best known 

 among our native birds ; the first name suggested by its 

 peculiar mode of flight, a slow flapping of its long wings ; 

 the second name having reference to the frequently-re- 

 peated note of the bird, which the sound of the word 

 peeweet closely resembles. The French, in imitation of 

 the sound of its note, call this bird dixhuit. This species, 

 like the rest of the Plovers, inhabits marshy ground near 

 lakes and rivers, wild heaths and commons, or the hills of 

 an open unenclosed country. In such localities this bird is 

 often very numerous, and during the months of April and 

 May their eggs are sought after as a luxury for the table 

 in all the districts where the birds are common. The 

 marshes of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, 

 and Kent, afford a large proportion of the quantity with 

 which the London market is supplied. Mr. Selby says, 

 " The trade of collecting them continues for about two 

 months ; and great expertness in the discovery of the nests 

 is shown by those accustomed to it ; generally judging of 

 their situation by the conduct of the female birds, who 

 invariably, upon being disturbed, run from the eggs, and 

 then fly near to the ground for a short distance, without 

 uttering any alarm cry. The males, on the contrary, are 

 very clamorous, and fly round the intruder, endeavouring, 

 by various instinctive arts, to divert his attention." On 

 this subject, also, Mr. Salmon observes, " So expert have 

 some men become, that they will not only walk straight 

 towards a nest, which may be at a considerable distance, 

 but tell the probable number of eggs it may contain, pre- 

 vious to inspection ; generally judging of the situation and 



