PEEWIT. 45 



In Orkney they appear in great abundance in March, and 

 remain until the end of October, at which time the greater 

 number migrate southwards. A few however remain stationary 

 throughout the year. They abound also in the Shetland Isles. 

 In Ireland they are common and indigenous. 



They collect into large nocks in the autumn, the component 

 parts thereof resolving themselves into their respective 

 individualities in the spring. 



Lapwings can hardly be called migratory birds, as some 

 are to be seen nearly throughout the year, but at the end of 

 February or the beginning of March they arrive, first in small 

 and then in greater numbers, on the downs and other open 

 places, frequenting the same haunts annually. They then pair 

 and separate, and so spread themselves over the face of the 

 country. In November, or later if the weather has been till 

 then open, they retire southwards. They are extremely good 

 birds to eat in the autumn and winter, but indifferent in the 

 summer. 



They are often kept in gardens, where they are very 

 serviceable in devouring insects, and at the same time 

 ornamental. One has been known to have lived in this half- 

 domesticated state for fourteen years'. Bewick gives an account 

 of one thus kept by the Ilev. J. Carlyle, vicar of Newcastle; 

 when 'winter deprived it of its usual supply, necessity soon 

 compelled it to draw nearer the house, by which it gradually 

 became familiarized to occasional interruptions from the family. 

 At length a servant, when she had occasion to go into the 

 back kitchen with a light, observed that the Lapwing always 

 uttered his cry, 'pee-wit,' to obtain admittance. He soon grew 

 more familiar; as the winter advanced he approached as far 

 as the kitchen, but with much caution, as that part of the 

 house was generally inhabited by a dog and a cat, whose 

 friendship the .Lap wing at length conciliated so entirely, that 

 it was his regular custom to resort to the fireside as soon as 

 it grew dark, and spend the evening and night with his two 

 associates, sitting close by them, and partaking of the comforts 

 of a warm fireside. As soon as spring appeared he left off 

 coming to the house, and betook himself to the garden; but 

 on the approach of winter, he had recourse to his old shelter 

 and his old friends, who had received him very cordially. 

 Security was productive of insolence; what was obtained with 

 caution was afterwards taken without reserve; he frequently 

 amused himself with washing in the bowl which was set for 



