Crass Il. LAPWING SANDPIPER. 
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 é€ggs; for example, all of 
this tribe, and those of the plover, Jay 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, 
Ming 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 eges 
are held in great esteem for their delicacy, and 
are sold by the London poulterers for three 
shillings the dozen. “In-winter, lapwings unite 
im vast flocks, but at that season they are ex- 
tremely wild : their flesh is very good, their food 
being insects and worms. . During October and 
November, they are taken in the fens in nets, in 
the same manner that Rufis are, but are not 
preserved for fattening, being killed as soon as 
caught. _ | 
FQ CST SOP 
67 
