suited to the rocky haunts that it frequents. The feathers on the upper
parts of the body are of a blackish shade, edged with rust-red; the grey
head is separated from the rust-red breast by a narrow white and a black
line; the lower breast is black in its centre, and the belly white; a
broad light stripe passes over the eyes to the nape. The eye is dark
brown, the beak black, and the foot greenish yellow. In autumn the upper
portions of the body are deep grey, the feathers on the crown of the head
black and rust-yellow, and the stripe over the eyes pale rust-yellow; the
upper breast is grey and the rest of the under side white. The female
resembles her mate, but is less beautifully coloured. This species is from
eight inches and three-quarters to nine inches long, and eighteen broad;
the wing measures five inches and three-quarters; and the tail two inches
and three-quarters. The Dotterels inhabit the mountainous tracts of the
northern portions of the globe, and are occasionally seen at an altitude
of ten thousand feet above the level of the sea. During the winter they
wander south; rarely, however, going beyond the countries bordering the
Mediterranean. These migrations take place in August, and are carried
on in flocks, which travel both by day and night. The homeward journey
is not commenced earlier than April. The Dotterel visits Great Britain
during the summer, appearing first in the south-eastern part of England.
It seldom goes far west, but takes a northern course, and always inhabits
high ground. Mr. Heysham, of Carlisle, gives the following account of the
habits of this bird, drawn from his own observation:--
"In the neighbourhood of Carlisle, Dotterels seldom make their appearance
before the middle of May, about which time they are occasionally seen in
different localities in flocks which vary in number from five to fifteen,
and almost invariably resort to heaths, barren pastures, fallow lands,
&c., in open and exposed situations, where they continue, if unmolested,
from ten days to a fortnight, and then retire to the mountains and the
vicinity of lakes to incubate. The most favourite breeding haunts of these
birds are always near to, or on the summits of, the highest mountains,
particularly those that are densely covered with the woolly fringe-moss
(_Tricostomum lanuginosum_), which, indeed, grows more or less profusely
on nearly all the most elevated parts of this alpine district. In these
lonely places they constantly reside the whole of the breeding season, a
considerable part of the time enveloped in clouds, and daily soaked with
rain or the drenching mist so extremely prevalent in these dreary regions.
The Dotterel is by no means a solitary bird at this time, as a few pairs
usually associate together, and live to all appearance in the greatest
harmony. These birds do not make any nest, but deposit their eggs, which
seldom exceed three in number, in a cavity on dry ground covered with
vegetation, and generally near a moderate-sized stone or fragment of
rock. In early seasons old females will occasionally lay their eggs about
the 26th of May, but the greater part seldom commence before the first
or second week in June; they appear, however, to vary greatly in this
respect. The male assists in the incubation of the young.
"A week previous to their departure," continues the same observer, "they
congregate in flocks, and continue together until they finally leave
this country, which is sometimes during the latter part of August, at
others not before the beginning of September. A few birds are, no doubt,
occasionally seen after this period, but they are either late broods, or
birds that are returning from more northern latitudes."
With regard to their manners, Mr. Heysham says:--"On the 3rd of July we
found two or three pairs near the most elevated portion of this mountain;
and on all our visits thither, whether early in the morning or late in the
afternoon, the greater part were always seen near the same place, sitting
on the ground. When first discovered, they permitted us to approach within
a short distance without showing any symptoms of alarm, and frequently
afterwards, when within a few paces watching their movements, some would
move slowly about and pick up an insect, others would remain motionless,
now and then stretching out their wings, and a few would occasionally
tug with each other, at the same time uttering a few notes which had
some resemblance to those of the Common Linnet. In short, they appeared
to be so very indifferent with regard to our presence, that at last my
assistant could not avoid exclaiming, 'What stupid birds these are!'
The female that had young nevertheless evinced considerable anxiety for
their safety, whenever we came near the place where they were concealed,
and as long as we remained in the vicinity, she constantly flew to and
fro above us, uttering her note of alarm. As soon as the young birds
were fully feathered, two were killed for the purpose of examining their
plumage in this state, and we found that after they had been fired at
once or twice they became more wary, and eventually we had some little
difficulty in approaching sufficiently near to effect our purpose. The
stomachs I dissected were all filled with the elytra and remains of small
coleopterous insects, which in all probability constitute their principal
food during the breeding season."
The pear-shaped eggs of the Dotterel are three or four in number, and
have a smooth lustreless shell, of a pale yellowish brown or greenish
hue, irregularly spotted with white. Upon one occasion we accidentally
disturbed a brood, and having taken the young in our hand and shown
them to the mother, she at once boldly ruffled her feathers, shook her
wings, and endeavoured to excite pity by a variety of gesticulations. No
sooner were the prisoners released than she uttered a cry of delight, and
gathered them under her wings, after the manner of a Barn-door Fowl. The
flesh of this Plover is extremely delicate.
* * * * *
The SHORE PLOVERS (_Ægialites_) occupy the sandy or gravelly shores of
rivers on the sea-coast, and are characterised by their comparatively
small size, delicate beaks, long pointed wings, and the uniform hue of the
sandy plumage on the upper parts of the body. The under side is white, and
the neck encircled by a band.
THE LITTLE SHORE PLOVER, OR LITTLE RINGED PLOVER.
The LITTLE SHORE PLOVER, or LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (_Ægialites minor_), as
the best known species is called, scarcely exceeds a Lark in size; the
length of the body being about six inches and a half, and the span of the
wing eighteen inches. The wing measures four inches and one-third, and the
tail three inches and one-third. In this bird the cheeks, crown of the
head, and upper portions of the plumage are earthy grey, the under side is
white as far as the throat, round which passes a black band; the quills,
bridles, and a streak on the brow are also black. The latter is bounded
by a white line, which is again edged with black. The eye is dark brown,
with a circle around it of King's yellow; the beak is black, and the foot
reddish grey. All these colours are paler in the female. The young are
without the black collar on the neck. This species is met with throughout
Europe, almost the whole of Asia, and a great portion of the African
continent. It, however, only visits the more southern countries during the
course of its migrations, which extend from August and September to March
or April. Southern Europe is, we believe, the farthest point at which
it is known to breed. In the northern portions of the globe it almost
exclusively frequents the rush-covered banks of marshy water at some
distance from the sea, but occasionally, during the winter journeyings,
which they make in large flocks, these birds are seen upon the coast.
The Little Ringed Plover is rare in Great Britain. Mr. Gould says, "We
are indebted to our friend Mr. Doubleday, of Epping, for the loan of an
example of this elegant little Plover, which he informs us was taken at
Shoreham, in Sussex. From the extreme youth of the specimen transmitted
to us, it is clear that it must have been bred on the spot. The food of
this species consists of various insects, larvæ, mussels, and similar
fare. They drink much, bathe freely once or twice a day, and frequently
obtain their prey from under stones in or near the water." In their habits
they closely resemble such of their brethren as we have already described.
[Illustration: THE LAPWING, OR PEEWIT (_Vanellus cristatus_).]
The four pretty little pale reddish-yellow eggs have a delicate lustreless
shell, marked and dotted with grey and blackish brown, and are deposited
in a slight hollow on a gravelly or pebbly bank, at such a height as to be
in no danger from the rising of the water. During fine days, the parents
leave the brood exposed to the rays of the sun, but in rainy weather and
at night they share the labour of incubation, and sit constantly. The
young are hatched in sixteen or seventeen days, and leave the nest as
soon as their plumage is dry, and in a few days begin to pick food. In a
few days more they are able to support themselves, but remain with their
parents during the first migration.
* * * * *
The LAPWINGS, or PEEWITS (_Vanelli_), represent a family of birds
characterised by their size, the strength of their beak, and the height
of the tarsi. The foot is, in many instances, furnished with four toes.
In some species the head is adorned with a crest; some have spurs on the
wings, and others a remarkable development of skin at the corners of
the beak. The sexes are nearly alike, and the young speedily attain the
plumage of the adult bird.
The Peewits occupy every latitude, and are met with in the most diverse
situations, for whilst some species exclusively seek the vicinity of water
or marshy ground, others frequent arid plains or the burning sands of
the desert. In disposition they are lively, and possess such a restless
curiosity concerning every object around them as frequently renders them
most troublesome to the sportsman, whose insidious approach they at once
proclaim to all their feathered companions. All the members of this
family, though social in their habits, live almost constantly in pairs,
which remain together even during the winter migrations; indeed, it is
probable that at this season even the young have each a chosen companion.
Insects, worms, and similar fare afford them the means of subsistence; but
they also occasionally consume seeds, young leaves, and shoots. The nest
is merely a hollow in the ground more or less slightly lined, and contains
four eggs. The flesh of these birds is hard and indigestible.
THE PEEWIT, OR LAPWING.
The PEEWIT, or LAPWING (_Vanellus cristatus_), represents a division of
the above group having four toes upon the foot, blunt wings, and a crest
upon the head. The crown, fore part of the throat, upper breast, and half
the tail, are glossy black; the mantle-feathers deep green, with a blue
or purple gloss; the sides of the neck, lower breast, body, and lower
half of the tail are white, and some of the feathers on the upper and
lower tail-covers dark rusty yellow. The crest is composed of long narrow
feathers. The female has a smaller crest, and the fore parts of the throat
spotted black and white. The young resemble the mother, but are duller
in their tints, and have broad rust-yellow feathers on the upper portion
of the body. In all the eye is brown, the beak black, and the foot dirty
red. This species is thirteen inches long and twenty-seven broad; the wing
measures eight inches and a half, and the tail four inches. (See Coloured
Plate XXXIII.)
The Lapwing occupies a wide range, extending from 61° north latitude, as
far as Northern India and North Africa. In some parts of China it is as
common as in Great Britain. Some writers are of opinion that this Peewit
breeds in Spain, but, according to our own observations, it only appears
in that land at the end of October, and leaves again to go north at the
beginning of March. Radde mentions having seen it on the Amur, being
particularly numerous at Tarai-Noor; strange to say, such as he observed
did not remain in the vicinity of the water during the summer, but
occupied dry and barren steppes throughout the whole season of incubation.
In India, according to Jerdon, this species is only found in the Punjaub,
where it breeds. The Peewit is especially numerous in Holland, and is
generally distributed over the British Isles, except in the extreme north
of Scotland and the Hebrides, everywhere occupying moorlands, downs, and
swampy lands, and depositing its four eggs in a slight hollow, which is
lined with a few straws or blades of grass. The eggs are pyriform, and
have a pale brownish yellow or olive-coloured shell, prettily spotted and
marked with brownish black. The young leave the nest as soon as they are
hatched, and if alarmed, at once take refuge in the moss or grass. Both
parents exhibit great affection and anxiety for their young, and should
a stranger venture to approach the nest, fly around him, and use every
endeavour to lure him from the spot, sometimes running as if lame, or
fluttering as though with a broken wing to tempt pursuit; nevertheless,
in spite of all her arts, the Lapwing's nest is frequently rifled, and
numbers of eggs are sent to the London market. According to Mr. Selby, the
trade of collecting them continues about two months, and great expertness
in the discovery of the nests is shown by those accustomed to it. They
generally judge of their situation pretty accurately by the conduct of the
female birds, who, upon being disturbed, invariably fly from the nest,
and then run near the ground for a short distance without uttering any
alarm cry. The males on the contrary are very clamorous, and fly round
the intruder, endeavouring by various instinctive arts to divert his
attention. So expert, says another observer, have some men become, that
they will not only walk straight to a nest which may be at a considerable
distance, but tell the probable number of eggs it may contain, generally
judging of the situation and number of eggs by the conduct of the female
bird.
When the young are reared, the Lapwings associate in flocks which, at
the end of autumn, exchange the higher moorlands for lower ground, and
frequent the ploughed fields. When going to a distance, they fly with
speed often in an irregular body, but sometimes in lines, alighting in
silence after various evolutions. About the middle of March they return to
higher ground, again to resume their family duties.
The Lapwing feeds on worms, insects, slugs, and larvæ, and on this account
is frequently kept in gardens; but when thus domesticated, it needs a
supply of food, when wintry frosts debar it from its usual diet.
The two English names of this bird have been derived from its most
striking peculiarities, the one, Peewit, from its singular cry, and the
other, Lapwing, from the strange, remarkable flapping of its wings during
flight.
THE SPUR-WINGED LAPWING.
The SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (_Hoplopterus spinosus_) is characterised by a
spur-like appendage on its wings, its long legs, three-toed feet, a blunt
crest upon the head, and its comparatively pointed wing, in which the
second quill exceeds the rest in length. In this species the mantle is
greyish brown, part of the head and the under side are black; the sides
of the head, throat, belly, and the nape and region of the wings are all
white; the primary quills and tail-feathers are principally tipped with
black, some of the largest feathers on the wing-covers and two entire
tail-feathers being white. The sexes are alike in plumage, and do not vary
in their tints at any season of the year.
This bird is very common in Egypt, where it usually occupies the
vicinity of water; nevertheless it entirely avoids the sea-coast, but
occasionally sojourns near lakes of brackish water. In the northern
portion of Central Africa it is constantly seen, but is rare in Nubia,
Eastern Soudan, and Habesch. During the spring and autumn it sometimes
wanders as far as Greece, and, according to Lindermayer, is occasionally
met with there on the sea-coast. Whether it also breeds in Greece, is at
present uncertain. This bird, called "Siksak" by the Arabs, in imitation
of its peculiar cry, is sometimes erroneously supposed to be the bird
alluded to by Herodotus, as clearing the parasites from the teeth of
the crocodile. This mistake has no doubt arisen from the fact that it
frequently occupies the sandbanks on which these monsters repose, and is
often seen running fearlessly over and about their huge bodies. Like the
rest of their brethren, these Lapwings render themselves most obnoxious
to the naturalist or sportsman, by the pertinacity with which they warn
all their companions of the approach of danger, and by thus constantly
annoying him, destroy the impression of pleasure that the grace and ease
of their movements would otherwise excite. Day and night this restlessness
continues, and has given rise to a legend among the Arabs that this
tormenting little bird received the curse of perpetual sleeplessness,
together with the spur upon its shoulder, as a punishment for former
indolent habits. Towards its feathered associates it exhibits the same
irritable demeanour, frequently attacking even such as are larger than
itself with astonishing boldness, and often inflicting serious damage with
its armed wing. Insects, worms, mussels, and sand, are usually found on
dissection in its stomach. Its flesh is very unpalatable. The period of
incubation commences about the middle of March. In Egypt a moist field is
usually selected by a breeding pair, whilst on the Upper Nile sandbanks
are preferred. The eggs are smaller than those of the European Lapwing,
and are coloured with mixed green, yellow and grey, marked with blackish
brown spots, which do not extend over the narrow end. We have found as
many as six eggs in one nest, but possibly they were deposited by more
than one female. Occasionally we have seen earth strewn on the nest, but
whether this was the result of accident or design we could not ascertain.
When first hatched the young are covered with greyish down, but soon
acquire plumage similar to that of the adults, and leave the nest very
shortly after quitting the shell. Like others of their kind, they run with
astonishing rapidity, and conceal themselves with great dexterity at the
approach of danger. As regards their movements and habits, these Lapwings
resemble such species as we have already described.
* * * * *
The LAPPETED PEEWITS (_Sarciophorus_) are recognisable by the skin-like
appendages at the base of the beak, and by a horny excrescence at the
joint of the wing; the powerful bill is moderately long and the foot
rather large; the hinder toe is but slightly developed.
[Illustration: THE SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (_Hoplopterus spinosus_).]
THE LAPPETED PEEWIT.
The LAPPETED PEEWIT (_Sarciophorus pileatus_) is reddish grey on the upper
parts of the body and white on the nape and under side; the head, throat,
tips of the quills and tail-feathers are black. The eye is a beautiful
golden yellow, the beak blood-red at its base and black at the tip, and
the foot red. The length of this species is ten inches and two-thirds,
and the breadth twenty-four inches; the wing measures six inches and
three-quarters, and the tail three inches and a half.
These birds occupy barren plains and live in pairs or small families.
During our travels through Bahiuda and Cordofania we saw them daily, and
upon one occasion met with them in the Samchara, seeking for insects among
the droppings of the cattle. In their habits they resemble both the Common
and Spurred Peewit, their flight being similar to that of the latter bird.
In disposition they are shy and wary. We were unable to obtain further
particulars concerning them.
THE TURNSTONE.
[Illustration: _Plate 33. Cassell's Book of Birds_
THE LAPWING ____ VANELLUS CRISTATUS
(_about one half Nat. size_)]
The TURNSTONE (_Strepsilas interpres_) is the representative of
a sub-family, characterised by their powerful body, short neck,
comparatively large and high-browed head, and long pointed wing, in
which the first quill is the longest, some of the feathers being of
unusual length. The tail, composed of twelve feathers, is scarcely of
medium size, and has a gently-rounded tip; the conical beak is shorter
than the head, curves slightly upwards, and is flattened at its culmen;
the short legs are powerful; the foot furnished with four toes; and the
brightly-coloured plumage thick and compact. During summer the adult male
has the brow, cheeks, a broad collar on the nape, the lower part of the
back, the throat, feathers of the lower wing-covers, and a stripe above
the wings of a pure white; a line commencing near the brow and passing
near the eyes to the throat, the fore part and sides of the neck and
breast is black; the mantle-feathers are spotted black and red, and those
on the crown striped black and white; the feathers of the wing-covers
are chestnut-brown, spotted with black, the quills blackish, and the
tail-feathers white at the roots and tip, with a broad black stripe near
the extremity; the rump also shows a broad brown stripe. The eye is brown,
the beak black, and foot orange-yellow. This species is nine inches long
and eighteen across the span of the wing; the wing measures six inches and
the tail six inches and a half. In the young the plumage is a mixture of
blackish brown and rust-yellow, the fore part of the body being greyish
black.
[Illustration: THE TURNSTONE (_Strepsilas interpres_).]
These birds are met with in all parts of the world, everywhere occupying
the sea-coast. In Scandinavia, Iceland, and Greenland, they appear at
the end of April or beginning of May and leave again about the end of
the last week of August, at which time they occur on the shores of the
Mediterranean. They visit England regularly, remaining during the winter
and going north to breed. They are restless and active birds, and run
rapidly, with wings lowered, but usually only for a short distance,
pausing from time to time, for a few moments, in the course of their swift
career; their flight is easy, and accompanied by a variety of graceful
evolutions. Their cry, which is shrill and penetrating, is uttered with
such various degrees of rapidity, as to produce very different effects.
In disposition they are cautious and usually shy. Audubon states that he
had ocular demonstration of the fact, that, as its name imports, this
species actually turns over stones and other objects to search for food,
and gives the following interesting account of the proceedings of four of
these birds, which he observed on the beach of Gaveston Island, whilst he
was engaged together with a sailor in carrying the carcase of a deer to be
washed:--"They merely," he says, "ran a little distance out of our course,
and on our returning came back immediately to the same place; this they
did four different times, and after we were done remained busily engaged
in searching for food. None of them were more than fifteen or twenty yards
distant, and I was delighted to see the ingenuity with which they turned
over the oyster-shells, clods of mud, and other small bodies left exposed
by the retiring tide. Whenever the object was not too large, the bird
bent its legs to half their length, placed its bill beneath it, and with
a sudden, quick jerk of the head pushed it off, when it quickly picked
up the food which was thus exposed to view, and walked deliberately to
the next shell to perform the same operation. In some instances when the
clusters of oyster-shells or clods of mud were too heavy to be removed in
the ordinary manner, they would not only use the bill and head, but also
the breast, pushing the object with all their strength, and reminding me
of the labour which I have undergone in turning over a large turtle. Among
the seaweeds which had been cast on the shore they used only the bill,
tossing the garbage from side to side with a dexterity extremely pleasant
to behold. In this manner I saw these four Turnstones examine almost every
portion of the shore, along a space of from thirty to forty yards; after
which I drove them away, that our hunters might not kill them on their
return."