748 Prevalence of the Lapwing or Plover, [dec, 



shows, however, that the Lapwing is still common in most 

 parts of Great Britain, but 75 out of 177 observers, or 42*3 per 

 cent., observed a decrease. Out of 177 replies from practically 

 all counties, 129 declared the bird to be common, while 

 thirty-four considered it uncommon, or not very plentiful in 

 their districts. 



The question whether there had been an increase or a 

 decrease in their numbers naturally admitted of considerable 

 difference of opinion, but there was evidence that the numbers 

 were decreasing in many districts. The replies may be 

 classified as follows : 



England. Wales. Scotland. 



Increase observed 12 1 5 



Decrease observed .....47 4 24 



No decrease observed 43 7 2 6 



Indefinite 7 — I 



As regards the evidence of an increase, the changes in 

 this direction appear to be strictly local. In a number of 

 cases a decrease was reported from districts not very far 

 removed from those in which an increase was stated to have 

 occurred, so that although increases have no doubt occurred 

 here and there, there is nothing to suggest any general 

 extension in the number of lapwings. 



The position as regards the reported diminution is not so 

 simple, for, as will be seen, the numbers of those who have 

 and who have not observed a decrease are about equal. Less 

 weight is perhaps to be attached to the figures showing "no 

 decrease," as the replies are in many instances less definite 

 than those of persons who take the opposite view. 



Taking the group of Eastern Counties from Essex to the 

 East Riding of Yorkshire, included in Division I. of the 

 Agricultural Returns, the replies do not indicate any general 

 decrease. Five persons record an increase, seven a de- 

 crease, while eleven have not observed any change. One 

 correspondent remarks that the practice of shooting wild 

 birds is more common than formerly in the Thames Estuary, 

 and this has a tendency to drive the birds to less frequented 

 districts. 



In the Southern and Midland Counties, included in 

 Division II., a decrease is more generally recorded, as four 

 persons report an increase, fourteen a decrease, and seven 

 "no change." One writer, however, observes: "I am pretty 



