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THE LAPWING. 
It is rather curious that Shakespeare has not alluded to 
this bird under its popular name of “ Peewit/’—a name 
which, derived from its cry, we believe to be of some 
antiquity. Nor has he referred to it by another name, 
which must have been commonly applied to it in his day, 
i.e. y “ Wype.” In the old “ Household Books” and “Privy 
Purse Expenses,” we frequently meet with such entries as 
the following:— 
“ Item, it is thought goode that wypes* be hade for my 
Lordes own mees onely and to be at jd. a pece.” 
The young of this, and many other, species run almost 
as soon as hatched, and Shakespeare has not overlooked 
this peculiarity :— 
“ This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.” 
Hamlet , Act v. Sc. 2. 
We have before had occasion to make a passing allusion 
to the Heron, and in the present chapter this bird deserves 
more particular attention, from the fact of its being so 
frequently flown at by falconers. 
Hawking at herons was thought to be “a marvellous 
and delectable pastime,” and in all the published treatises 
upon falconry, many pages are dedicated to this particular 
branch of the sport. 
Not only were herons protected by Act of Parliament, 
* In Sweden the bird is known as wipa to this day. 
