222 THE LAPWING. 



It is rather curious that Shakespeare has not alluded to 

 this bird under its popular name of " Peewit," a name 

 which, derived from its cry, we believe to be of some 

 antiquity. Nor has he referred to it by another name, 

 which must have been commonly applied to it in his day, 

 i.e., " Wype." In the old " Household Books" and " Privy 

 Purse Expenses," we frequently meet with such entries as 

 the following : 



" Item, it is thought goode that wypes* be hade for my 

 Lordes own mees onely and to be at jd. a pece." 



The young of this, and many other, species run almost 

 as soon as hatched, and Shakespeare has not overlooked 

 this peculiarity : 



" This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head." 



Hamlet, Act v. Sc. 2. 



We have before had occasion to make a passing allusion 

 to the Heron, and in the present chapter this bird deserves 

 more particular attention, from the fact of its being so 

 frequently flown at by falconers. 



Hawking at herons was thought to be "a marvellous 

 and delectable pastime," and in all the published treatises 

 upon falconry, many pages are dedicated to this particular 

 branch of the sport. 



Not only were herons protected by Act of Parliament, 



* In Sweden the bird is known as wipa to this day. 



