120 



FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



handsome, the markings being paler and not so distinct, 

 and the feathers on the breast are brown. 



In relation to the confiding nature of this bird, it 

 may be remarked that its name morinellns literally 

 means "a little fool/' about as uncomplimentary a title, 

 perhaps, as any bestowed upon any member of the feathered 

 tribes. An old idea concerning the bird was that it imi- 

 tated the movements of the sportsman or fowler, and Mr. 

 Yarrell, in his description of the Dotterel, quotes a passage 

 from Drayton to this effect : 



" The Dotterel, which we think a very dainty dish, 

 Whose taking makes such sport, as no man more can wish, 

 For as you creep, or cower, or lie, or stoop, or go, 

 So marking you with care, the apish hird doth do ; 

 And acting everything, doth never mark the net, 

 Till he be in the snare which men for him have set." 





