THE LAPWING. 175 



Widely distributed over our island, they exceed in numbers 

 any of our other native grallatorial tribes. Indeed, so abun- 

 dant is the species, that it may be observed during all seasons 

 within a few miles of Dublin, and is the first wading-bird 

 that approaches the metropolis for the purposes of nidification. 

 Although occasionally the snipe and land-rail may breed in 

 a favourite locality, in the vicinity of any large town, yet the 

 breeding haunts of the lapwing are generally to be met with 

 in any place affording them the slightest security and cover. 



This species occurs in greater numbers in Ireland than in 

 either of the sister countries. The humid character of the 

 island and the prevalence of large tracts of unreclaimed and 

 marshy moorlands are admirably adapted to its habits. Of 

 late years it has somewhat diminished in numbers, in conse- 

 quence of the great advance of drainage and reclaiming of 

 waste lands in Ireland. The food of the lapwing consists of 

 worms and insects, and occasionally berries may be detected 

 in the stomach. 



We have seldom derived more pleasure in observing the 

 habits of any of the native species than those of the lapwing. 

 Perhaps the picturesque scenery with which it is associ- 

 ated is in its favour. However that may be, its habits attract 

 attention even from the most unobservant. Its curious cla- 

 morous cries, from which it has derived so many names, toge- 

 ther with its strange hovering flight and anxiety when the 

 neighbourhood of the nest is approached, all render the lap- 

 wing familiar, as its history is interesting. 



In each of the three kingdoms the lapwing is better known 

 to the community by the local names it has received from its 

 strange wailing cries. In England it is generally recognised 

 as the " peewit," or " peewit plover ;" in Scotland, as the 

 " pease-weep," whilst in our own island its most common 

 name is the " phillipene" or " phillapee." Each of the three 

 several names resembles the cries uttered during the season of 

 incubation. 



During that season, the innate timidity so characteristic of 

 all wading-birds is lost by the lapwing ; it then assumes almost 

 a semi-domesticated habit, flying within some dozen yards of 

 any intruder upon its territory, vociferously screaming, and 

 following him a considerable distance in the effort to save the 

 nest and young from discovery. We might even picture 

 Shakspere himself rambling about the fields of Stratford, ob- 

 serving their habits, when he alludes to it so truthfully 



" Far from her haunts, the lapwing screams away !" 



