Class II. LAPWING SANDPIPER. 6? 



lays four eggs, making a slight nest with a few 

 bents. The eggs have an olive cast, and are 

 spotted with black. It is worthy of notice, 

 that among water fowl, congenerous birds lay 

 the same number of eggs ; for example, all of 

 this tribe, and those of the plover, lay four 

 a-piece; the puffin genus only one; while the 

 duck tribe, in general, are numerous layers, ' 

 producing from eight to twenty. The young 

 as soon as hatched, run like chickens : the 

 parents shew remarkable solicitude for them, 

 flying with great anxiety and clamour near 

 them, striking at either men or dogs that 

 approach, and often fluttering along the 

 ground like a wounded bird, to a considerable 

 distance from their nest, to elude their pursu- - ' 



ers ; and to aid the deceit, become more cla- 

 morous when most remote from it : the eggs 

 are held in great esteem for their delicacy, and 

 are sold by the London poulterers for three 

 shillings the dozen. In winter, lapwings unite ' 

 in vast flocks, but at that season they are ex- 

 tremely wild : their flesh is very good, their food 

 being insects and worms. During Oc/'oZ'er and . , 

 November, they are taken in the fens in nets, in 

 the same manner that Ruffs are, but are not 

 preserved for fattening, being killed as soon as 



caught, ■: ■■:^'.. >.:; ;-,>,., .'W',-, v;:^?;- jj ;; > , j - ' 



F 21 



