370 THE CRESTED LAPWING. 



with two individuals (on the 30th of August, 1841), and 

 these on the shores of the Icy Sea. It is only seen in Den- 

 mark during spring and fall. Migrates. 



In its habits this bird resembles the golden plover, 

 among which it lives, spread in pairs on fields and heaths. 

 The female is said to lay four large eggs, of a light olive- 

 green colour, marked with black spots. Male as well as 

 female carefully tend the young. 



The Crested Lapwing (Vipa ; Tofs-Vipa, Sw. ; V. cri- 

 status, Mey.) was very common with us in the summer time, 

 as also throughout all the southern and midland portions 

 of Scandinavia. Its limits to the northward seem not accu- 

 rately determined; but it is found as high up as Werme- 

 land. In Denmark it is common. 



It is one of the first of the migratory birds that appear in 

 Scania in the spring, often indeed, should the weather be 

 mild, as early as the middle of February. It not unfrequently 

 happens that a severe frost, accompanied with snow, sets 

 in after their arrival (the peasants call such a frost Vip-vinter, 

 or Lapwing- winter), in which case the birds either return the 

 way they came, or collect in flocks, and many die of cold and 

 hunger. It has been observed that if they fly altogether 

 away, the frost will be of long continuance ; but if, on the 

 contrary, they remain, it will soon be over. The first lap- 

 wings that arrive and as it would seem, they do so in flocks 

 are always males ; the females make their appearance a 

 week afterwards. 



The swallow and the turtle-dove, according to popular 

 belief, sympathized with our Saviour in his sufferings, and 

 are consequently regarded with kindness and affection. Not 

 so certain other birds, which, when flying over Golgotha, 



