308 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



run along the ground rather than attempt flying, and are thus easily 

 taken with nets, which are spread for them. They always run to- 

 wards the light ; so that the fowler fairly entices them to his net. 

 History and tradition both speak of this bird as imitating the ges- 

 tures and movements of the fowler j whereby it is asserted, that 

 when the fowler stretches out an arm or leg, the dotterel performs a 

 corresponding* movement with leg or wing. If the fowler runs, the 

 dotterel runs ; if he crawls slowly along, the dotterel does likewise 



" Most worthy man, with thee it is even thus 

 As men take dottrels, so hast thou ta'en us ; 

 Which as a man his arm or leg doth set, 

 So this fond bird will likewise counterfeit."* 



Dr. Key, in his letter to Gesner, describes the movements of the 

 dotterel when pursued at night after the manner already explained ; 

 and expresses his belief in the actions of the bird as in imitation or 

 mockery of the fowler. Another author also inclines to the same 

 opinion, f 



In reference to the practice mentioned in the note below, of cap- 

 turing apes by inciting them to mimicry, there is, in a curious work 

 already referred to in these pages "Venationes ferarum avium," 

 &c. the following inscription at the foot of an engraving represent- 

 ing the capture of apes by the art of mimicry : 



" Quo Venatores oculos lavere catino, 



Pro lymphis indunt viscum : mox Simia visco 

 Os oculosque la vat : capitur lento uncta liquore, 

 Incidit et caligata in idem quandoque periclum." 



It would seem that Ray doubted the veracity of Dr. Key as 

 to the mimicry of the fowler by the dotterel ; he subjoins a state- 

 ment communicated to him by his " very good friend Mr. Peter 

 Dent, a person well skilled in the history of plants and animals," 



* Drayton. 



t " There is a sort of apes in India caught by the natives thereof after this man- 

 ner : They dress a little boy, in his sight ; undress him again, leave all the child's 

 apparel behind them in the place, and then depart a competent distance. The ape 

 presently attireth himself in the same garments till the child's clothes become his 

 chains, putting off his feet by putting on his shoes, not able to run to any purpose ; 

 and so is soon taken. The same humour, otherwise pursued, betrayeth the dotte- 

 rels. But, it is observed, the foolisher the fowl or fish (woodcocks, dotterels, cods- 

 heads, &c.), the fairer the flesh thereof." Fuller's Worthies of England, ly Nuttall : 

 vol. ii. p. 263. 



