OF N^OKTHTJMBEELAND AND DTJEHAM. 99 



101. CHARADRIUS, Linnceus. 



8. EiNG Dotterel C. bdcaticula, Linnmis. 



Charadrius hiatictda, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 

 16. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, II., 465. 



A common resident in both counties. It breeds on the pebbly 

 shores of the coast, and I have seen it once or twice by the side 

 of the Coquet, during the breeding season, six or seven miles 

 below Eothbiuy; but I have never known it lay its eggs far 

 from the sea shore. In September and October, and even later 

 in the year, it assembles in considerable flocks on the coast. 



102. VANELLUS, Linnceus. 



9. Peewit. Y. cbistattjs, {Meyer and Wolf.) 



Vcmellus cridatus, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 21. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, II., 481. 



This beautiful resident species is common everywhere, but is 

 most plentiful in uncultivated districts. It breeds very early, 

 sometimes laying its eggs in the beginning of April. I have 

 found the eggs much incubated on the 14th of April. Of course, 

 the breeding time is influenced considerably by the state of the 

 weather. Frequently I have known the first layings to be cov- 

 ered up and destroyed by the snow ; but against such casualties 

 nature has amply provided, by enabling the Peewit to lay again 

 and again until a brood is hatched and reared. Hence the folly 

 of the dread that has been expressed in some quarters, that so 

 useful a bird, as this is stated to be to the agriculturist, should 

 be destroyed by taking a few of its first layings. In fact, the 

 Peewit appears to have increased in numbers within the last few 

 years, probably on account of the destruction of the birds of prey 

 by the game-preservers. 



At the commencement of the breediag season, as much as half- 

 a-crown a piece is sometimes given in London for Peewit's eggs, 

 but they soon become so plentiful that they can be purchased for 



