Lhe Lapwing. 213 
tnejenc black: lees reddish. Jceneth, twelve inches. 
Eggs olive-brown, blotched and spotted with greenish- 
brown mixed with black. 
This heavy-flying bird may be known in several 
different ways. When on the wing it is easily detected, 
for the wings, when spread open, put one in mind of 
the barn owl, so singularly long and round are they in 
comparison to the body. When taking a flight with 
others of its kind to some distant part, it appears to 
fan the air in slow movements, but in the spring, when 
disturbed from the ground, it is wonderfully quick and 
active, and doubles about with surprising agility: it is 
said the numiver of doubles it makes when started 
from its nest denotes the number of eggs the nest con- 
tains; this, however, I cannot quite understand, and 
consider it an idle tale. Many country people search 
for their eggs, and receive a high price for each, as they 
are very rich and thought adelicacy. These birds are 
found in most parts of Europe. The name, if sounded 
in a high, squeaking voice, resembles their note. 
They frequent marshy places, heavy ground, borders 
oOfwlakesy ana laree tracts of erass’ land near water 
