282 
COMMON LAPWING. 
additional rental it may bring in ; yet there was 
a charm in these wild pastures, animated by their 
peculiar inhabitants, that cannot be replaced by 
any change produced artificially upon them. 
Some Pewits reside constantly with us ; but, at 
the same time, numbers leave our islands, and 
others annually perform a periodical migration 
to the breeding grounds, arriving there with as 
much regularity as our summer visitants from a 
distance; also, it is probable, that we receive a 
few birds in their removal from other countries. 
Their breeding stations are the subalpine moors, 
and the large boggy pastures on their skirts, low 
meadow grounds, extensive downs or commons, 
and the fenny counties. These are often at a 
great distance from the coast, completely inland ; 
at the same time, a common upon the shore, where 
the extent is considerable, and the surface varied, 
is a favourite locality. They assemble there in 
small flocks or parties, even about the end of 
February, and gradually separate into pairs to take 
up their breeding stations.* When incubation 
has fairly commenced, the common or moor often 
appears alive with their active motions ; no stran- 
ger or intruder can enter upon their haunts with- 
out an examination, and both, or one of the pair, 
hover and fly around, tumbling and darting at 
him, and all along uttering their vehement cry of 
“ Peemit.” When incubation is completed, the 
* 11th February, 1842. The Lapwing has already com- 
menced its inland migration. 
