i;6 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



from which they derive the name, the Grey appear- 

 ing very light in comparison, the prominent dark 

 eye of both being most visible.* The Green 

 Plover can never be mistaken, the dark colour and 

 slow flapping motion of the full and curved wing 

 distinguish its species afar. Lapwing, from the 

 flight, and Peewit, from the call, are the common 

 names for this Plover in Ireland as in England. 



Few would believe that the Green Plover mea- 

 sures nearly two feet from tip to tip of the extended 

 wings, although the body, when cooked, is no larger 

 than a pigeon. Golden and Grey Plover when seen 

 on the wing are usually travelling to or from their 

 feeding grounds. Peewits may be noticed for an 

 hour at a time whirling and circling aimlessly in the 

 sky, now in rings, now lost to view, then presently 

 reappearing. Like Wigeon, Plover have a habit 

 of swooping backwards and forwards, in gradually 

 lowering pendulous curves, till they finally alight 

 on the spot they have apparently selected some 

 minutes before. When pitched they will sometimes 

 remain for hours motionless as statues, every head 

 turned the same way ; the only movement notice- 

 able being an occasional stretch of foot or wing. 

 Now and again both wings will be raised and 

 slowly extended till the points almost meet above 

 the back, as if the bird feared cramp. Nothing 



* Curlew at a distance, notwithstanding their much greater bulk 

 and long peculiar bills, bear a wonderful resemblance, from the way 

 they sit, to Golden Plover, especially when herded together. It is 

 hard to credit, but I and others, who know both species under every 

 aspect, have often found it difficult to tell at a distance to which of 

 the two species the birds belonged, although viewing them through 

 a powerful glass at the distance of a few hundred yards. 



