THE LAPWING. 157 



Mode of obtaining worms. 



and is instantly seized. " To ascertain this cir- 

 cumstance/' says M. Baillon, " I emploj-ed the 

 same stratagem: in a field of green corn, and in 

 the garden,, I beat the earth for a short time, and 

 [ saw the worms coming out. I pressed down a 

 stake, which I then turned in all directions to 

 shake the soil; this method succeeded still 

 quicker; the worms crawled out in crowds,, even 

 at the distance of a fathom from the stake." In 

 the evening the lapwings pursue a different plan : 

 they run along the grass, and feel under their 

 feet the worms, which now come forth invited 

 by the coolness of the air. Thus they obtain a 

 plentiful meal; and afterwards wash their bill 

 and feet in the small pools or rivulets. 



" I have seen this bird," says Dr. Latham, 

 f( approach a worm-cast, turn it aside, and, after 

 making two or three turns about, by way of giv- 

 ing motion to the ground, the worm came out, 

 and the watchful bird, seizing hold of it, drew it 

 forth." 



These birds make a great noise with their 

 wings in fl} ing, and are called pce-wits in the 

 North of England, from their particular cry. 

 They remain here the whole year. The female 

 lays two eggs on the dry ground, near some 

 marsh; upon a little bed which she prepares of 

 dry grass. These are olive-coloured, and spotted 

 with black. She sits about three weeks; and 

 the young, who are covered with a thick down, 



