176 CHARADRIAD.E. 



So persecuted is the lapwing, that were it not for large 

 accessions to their numbers every winter, from other latitudes, 

 it would be totally extirpated within a few years. The pe- 

 culiar delicacy of the flesh gains it high repute in the markets, 

 where, although large numbers are exposed for sale, a conside- 

 rable proportion is forwarded to the Liverpool and other Eng- 

 lish markets. Prized equally some centuries ago, the lapwing 

 was in the same manner esteemed, being valued at one penny 

 each ; and, in the " Northumberland Household Book," we 

 find " wypes" admitted to his Lordship's own " mees." Un- 

 fortunately for the species, the delicacy of the flesh is also 

 transmitted to the eggs, thousands of which appear in all our 

 markets during spring. 



Expensive as a luxury, we have frequently seen the price 

 of the egg exceeding that of the bird when in season. At 

 times, mixed up in the parcels of moss -enveloped eggs for- 

 warded from coast -breeding stations, we have observed those 

 of the kittiwake and black-headed gulls answer the purpose 

 equally as well. 



In England dogs are trained for the purpose of finding the 

 eggs, which hunt by scent, and point as if at game, until the 

 egg-man comes up. 



So continued is the persecution of both egg and bird that 

 we could almost imagine the unfortunate lapwing to be ex- 

 piating some untold offence. Certain it is, according to the 

 Koran, that Solomon, in a fit of ill humour at the non-ap- 

 pearance of his messenger, the lapwing, when sent to the 

 Queen of Sheba, said, " What is the reason that I see not the 

 lapwing ? Is she absent ? Verily I will chastise her with a 

 severe punishment, or I will put her to death unless she bring 

 me a just excuse." 



However, as a requital for the implied punishment, the 

 Persian Ferdusi has eulogised the lapwing in many glowing 

 lines. And the Arabs of the present day have ascribed to it 

 the power of finding water underground in the desert : 



" Fresh as the fountain underground, 

 When first 'tis by the lapwing found." 



Even over the pages of history the flight of the lapwing 

 has passed : for we find in England the founder of an ancient 

 family, who, having fallen wounded in a skirmish, would have 

 perished but for the cries of these birds, which attracted the 

 attention of his followers to the place. The knight, to evince 

 his gratitude, emblazoned on his shield three lapwings, and 

 this device is borne to the present day by his descendants. 



