286 THE LAPWING 



lands have caused its numbers to diminish, still it holds 

 its own on most of our high-lying moorlands. In 

 Scotland it is plentiful, and is even on the increase in 

 many of the northern districts. Unfortunately, its eggs 

 are in great demand. In Ireland this is not the case ; the 

 eggs are not sought after as they are in England, but 

 the birds are netted in numbers for eating. 



The Lapwing is twelve inches in length. It can be 

 immediately recognised by the long pointed crest which 

 begins on the crown, extending backwards and being 

 slightly curved upwards at the end, resembling a good 

 deal a waxed military moustache. This is black, as are 

 also the brow, throat and breast; the under parts are 

 quite white, the rump a brilliant rust-colour ; the base 

 of the tail white; the end of the tail is adorned with 

 a broad black border. Mantle shining, iridescent black. 

 Legs red, eyes brown and bright ; beak shaped like a 

 thick awl. Such is the appearance of the males; the 

 female bird and its young are much plainer in colour, 

 and have a smaller crest. The nest is placed in the 

 reed-beds and in shallow parts of the marshes; it is 

 simply a scratched out hollow bedded with dry chaff. 

 The clutch usually consists of four pear-shaped eggs, 

 which have olive-brown spots and flecks on an olive- 

 green ground. The young leave the nest as soon as 

 they are hatched, sometimes even carrying part of the 

 shell on their feathers. 



