meadows, or even the open moor-land. Fears are often 

 expressed in the newspapers and elsewhere as to the 

 probable extinction of this species by the high prices 

 that its eggs will always command in our markets ; but 

 I imagine that most owners of land upon which any 

 considerable number of Peewits breed have found out 

 that by taking the eggs on a regular system, always 

 allowing the birds to sit and rear one brood of young, 

 an occasional " jubilee " and protection of the birds 

 themselves, they can always make sure of a profitable 

 egg-harvest without any detriment to the stock. Though 

 very bold and fearless of man during the breeding- 

 season, the Peewit at other times is a wary bird, and 

 certainly runs little risk of extinction by fair means. In 

 certain parts of England this bird may be fairly con- 

 sidered as a vernal visitor, arriving in March and taking 

 its departure in October ; but, taking our islands under 

 consideration en bloc," it is perhaps best described as 

 a partial migrant that may be found in certain places at 

 all times of year, and there is no doubt that we are 

 occasionally visited by large flocks of Peewits from the 

 continent. There is a story that many Rook's eggs are 

 sold as those of this species in our markets ; but I can 

 hardly believe that many of our country-people would 

 risk their necks or limbs in climbing to obtain eggs 

 the sale of which must at all events be very uncertain, 

 especially when the genuine articles may be had for the 

 finding and picking up, and, although no doubt Rook's 

 eggs may be very palatable, I must say that I consider 

 that any one ignorant enough to purchase them as 

 "Plover's eggs" fully deserves to be ''sold" himself. 



