WADING BIRDS. 189 



10th of January, 1856 ; these were male and female. 

 A few pairs breed with us every year, frequenting for 

 that purpose the flood meadows between Ollerton and 

 Clipstone. On Carbreck farm I have sometimes seen 

 them in company with the lapwing. 



The Grey Plover (Vanellus melanogaster} is occa- 

 sionally seen in winter, but not in great numbers. One 

 was shot a few years since by Mr. H. Wells in summer. 

 This was on Edwinstowe Forest, and is the only one I 

 have known of at that season. 



The Lapwing (Vanellus cristatus) is common all 

 over the district, and is to a large extent migratory, 

 arriving with us in March, and leaving again about 

 November. The wide extent of Thoresby Park is a 

 favourite resort, as well as the moor-like parts of the 

 forest and the large exposed fields on the forest farms. 

 Here they regularly breed; and though the eggs are 

 sometimes collected, they are not found in such numbers 

 as to make it so profitable an employment as it is in 

 some of the eastern counties. I have often been misled 

 when in search of the eggs by the enticements and 

 manoeuvres of the parent birds, notwithstanding my 

 knowledge of their practice. While the female is on 

 the nest the male is seldom far distant, and on the 

 approach of an intruder wheels and tumbles around very 

 closely, in order to entice him from his partner. The 

 latter on leaving the nest runs quickly for a short 

 distance before taking wing, and by this device renders 

 it difficult to detect the exact spot she has left, and this 

 is increased by the colour of the eggs themselves. 



Few birds are more in keeping with a retired country 

 scene, or add more to its picturesque beauty, than the 

 Heron (Ardea cinerea), whether it is a winding sedgy 



