[Illustration]
Tringa Vanellus, LINNÆUS; Le Vanneu, BUFFON; Der gemeine
Kiebetz, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is well known throughout Europe wherever there are water
meadows. It is greenish on the back and wings; black on the breast; and
has red feet, and a handsome crest.
OBSERVATIONS.--It feeds on all sorts of insects, small snails, worms,
and even plants. The young ones are easily tamed. They are first fed
on ants' eggs, and then gradually accustomed to bread, and even bran
mixed with milk. The eggs may be placed under pigeons, but care is
necessary when they are hatched, as they run the moment they leave
the shell. The old birds may be kept in the garden if the wings are
clipped, where they destroy the insects and worms; but they must be
brought into the house in the winter, and fed at first on bullocks'
heart cut in the form of worms, then with less care, till by degrees
they become accustomed to other meat, and even to bread. As these
birds are much esteemed game, snares are laid for them in places they
frequent in large flocks. They are either taken in nets, throwing
worms as baits, or with nooses made of horse hair, and set in the
paths they trace in the rushes, or, which is cruel and destructive,
in the neighbourhood of their nests.