THE LAPWING 



THE LAPWING. 



Vanellus vulgaris, Bechstein. 

 Plate 63. 



The Lapwing, Peewit, or Green Plover, as it is variously called, is resident and 

 widely distributed throughout many parts of England, and is even more numerous 

 in Scotland and Ireland, whilst in autumn its numbers are increased by the arrival 

 of flocks from the continent of Europe. This species is found breeding more or 

 less over the whole of Europe, from the Arctic Circle, southwards to Spain, also in 

 small numbers in North Africa and Egypt, and across Asia eastwards to Japan. 

 In winter its migrations extend as far as Southern China and North-west India. 



The nest, which is only a depression in the ground lined with a few bents and 

 usually situated in rough pastures, moorland wastes, or on fallows, contains four 

 eggs. These vary somewhat in colour, but are generally brownish, yellow, or olive, 

 blotched and spotted with blackish-brown. When their treasures are approached, 

 the parent birds show great anxiety and distress, uttering their loud peevish cries 

 and attempting to lure aside the intruder by feigning lameness or a broken wing. 



I know no bird which excels the Lapwing in its marvellous powers of twisting, 

 turning, and diving in the air, and in the breeding season they may constantly be 

 seen performing these aerial evolutions, while their notes at this time are more 

 modulated and varied, and blend with the vibrating sound made by their wings. 



The food consists chiefly of earthworms, grubs, and insects. The female is 

 duller in colour than the male, and has the crest less developed. In winter the 

 black on the throat in both sexes changes to white. 



THE TURNSTONE. 



Strepsilas interpres (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 64. 



The Turnstone, though mostly occurring on our coasts during autumn and 

 winter, partly as a visitor and also on passage, remains throughout the year in some 

 localities, though it has never been known to breed in the British Islands. I have 

 seen small parties, including birds in full breeding plumage, on the shores of 

 Tresco, Isles of Scilly, about the middle of May, which were easily approached, as 



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