I ’EE WIT. 
3 
the coast-line and pursuing a course from north to south in the former county, and from east to west in the 
latter. At times numbers were passed at sea in the Channel working their way towards the west. I cannot, 
however, advance any evidence to show that our native birds or the migrants from the north of Europe move 
to more southerly countries to pass the remainder of the winter. I did not meet with this species while on 
the return journey in the spring to its northern quarters, or receive any information from the light-ships off 
the east coast relating to the subject. 
Though Peewits have greatly decreased in many parts of England during the past five and twenty years, 
there are still many extensive breeding-grounds in the Highlands, on which few, if any, eggs are collected. 
This unfortunate bird suffers much persecution ; not only are its eggs carried off for weeks in the spring, 
but as soon as the large flocks make their appearance on the mudflats, the punt-gunners deal death and 
destruction in their ranks. At times hundreds and thousands may be seen exposed in the markets, where 
they fetch but a low price. Eor the table the Peewit cannot compare with its relative the Golden Plover, 
lacking at all times the delicate flavour of the latter, and in open winters when loaded with fat possessing a 
strong and almost disagreeable odour. 
Ihe Peewit, as a rule, lays four eggs, though towards the end of the season, after having been repeatedly 
robbed, I have more than once noticed a bird sitting on three and even two. On one occasion only have I met 
vith five eggs , these were taken in April 18G1, on the ground adjoining the curling-pond on Gullane Einks in 
East Lothian, the whole proving perfectly fresh. 
With the exception of “ Piwype,” by whicb title the Peewit is most commonly known by the marsh-men 
in the east of Norfolk, I have heard no local names applied to this species. 
