MIGRATION. 171 



may cite the lapwing, or peewit ( Vanellus cris- 

 tatus.) During the summer, this bird tenants 

 heaths, open commons, moorlands, morasses, 

 and turf-bogs, etc., where it rears its young. 

 It is abundant in the moorlands of the Peak 

 of Derbyshire, appearing early in spring. In 

 the autumn it collects into flocks, which depart 

 sooner or later, according to the severity of the 

 weather, not having, as far as we ourselves have 

 observed, any decidedly fixed time for leaving 

 their summer quarters. These flocks wing 

 their way to the lowlands and marshes bor- 

 dering the estuaries of our larger rivers, where, 

 from the oozy ground, they obtain a supplj' of 

 food. We have seen extensive flocks along 

 the estuary of the Thames, both on the K 

 and Essex coasts, and no doubt some continue 

 in the marsh lands along the Thames through- 

 out the whole of the year. 



Dr. Fleming tells us that in Scotland the 

 lapwing, although it visits the open fields near 

 the coast in winter, wings its way southwards 

 when the weather sets in with severity, and 

 may be regarded as a stationary bird in Eng- 

 land, of course changing its locality from the 

 moorland or heath to the marsh lands along 

 the shore. Here, then, we have an example of 

 limited migration, as performed by a bird dif- 

 fused over Europe and Asia, the end to be 

 accomplished being, not an escape from cold, 

 but the necessity of obtaining food. 



As another example, we may refer to our 

 kingfisher, noted alike for the beauty of its 



