LAPWING. 
1G9 
sGtOsons, by wliicli time various new colonies bad become estab- 
lished in many parts of the island, and now it is quite a common 
species throughout Shetland. The eggs not being valued by 
the people, are seldom taken ; therefore good hopes may be en- 
tertained that the numbers of this pretty and useful bird will 
continue to increase. Its habits during the breeding season 
are well known everywhere, and although its peculiar actions 
and cries are at first very perplexing, one soon becomes able to 
interpret their meaning. Even when within a few yards of the 
nest it is by no means easy to discover it. I have often been 
amused by the singular alterations which the cry undergoes, 
according as one gets hotter” or “colder” in the search. The 
simple cry, “Peewit,'' is always the first greeting ; then, as the 
nest is approached, the bird becomes more earnest, and “ Pe-e- 
wit " is rapidly uttered, suddenly changing to “Would you do it ? 
— Peewit, peewit!' the prize is neared within what appears to 
be a very dangerous proximity. Anxious as the bird is for the 
safety of its eggs, it is stiU more so for its young ; which, how- 
ever, are very seldom found, so cleverly do they, even at the 
earliest age, conceal themselves among the heather, or under any 
small rugged stone or edge of earth which happens to be near; 
against which, as long as they remain motionless, it is scarcely 
possible to make them out. The round dark eye often betrays 
them, and is so conspicuous that the search is far more likely 
to be successful if one looks for the eyes than if the little 
downy bodies be sought after. Among the eggs I have met 
with few very remarkable varieties, although one of a light 
stone colour, with blackish dots, has sometimes, though seldom, 
occurred. 
