182 
NATURAL HISTORY 
DOTTREL. 
The Dottrel is proverbially accounted a 
very foolish bird, and it is hardly possible to 
decide why, or upon what ground. 1ms 
bird seems to be migratory, and makes his 
appearance in this country in April, buk 
finding very likely nothing much to his 
liking, soon leaves these parts, and retnes 
to places which arc totally unknown, lhe 
Dottrel is somewhat smaller than the plover; 
and with some their flesh is considered a 
very great delicacy. Many, and most ridi- 
culous stories, have been propagated about 
the mimic actions and gestures ot this bird, 
in endeavouring to imitate the moyemen 
of the fowler, and thereby lulling into the 
snare laid down for him; but they are with- 
out the least foundation, and therefore ought 
to be entirely exploded. 
