154 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



earliest of the season often commanding as much as twelve 

 shillings a dozen retail. Numbers are sent to this country from 

 the Continent, and the eggs of other species are not unfrequently 

 passed off for them by unscrupulous dealers. The Lapwing as a 

 rule does not manifest much concern for the safety of its eggs, 

 apparently well aware that their protective colour will shield them 

 from discovery ; but when the young are hatched the old birds 

 often become very demonstrative, and will reel and tumble along 

 the ground, or sweep round an intruder's head, all the time 

 uttering wailing notes of alarm. 



Diagnostic Characters. — Vanellus, with the upper plumage 

 loricated with metallic tints, with no white on the wing coverts, 

 and with the upper and under tail coverts chestnut. Length, 

 13 inches. 



