a PEEWIT.
shortly after daybreak, seen these birds huddled together so elosely on some point of land extending into
the broad, that from one to a eoople of hundred might have been slopped by the discharge of the punt gun.
As winter advance-, the numbers gradually fall oil', and but few are to be seen till shortly before the breeding,
season. The Redshank is usually the earliest of the Waders to appear about the marshes surrounding thu
broads, followed, after an interval of some days, by small parties uf Peewits, Hy the middle or latter end
of April the majority have laid; a succession of cold winds, however, frequently throws them hack a week
or two. Though large numbers breed on the ru-hmatshes, a spit i- almost invariably selected where the
ground is bun1 wilb Ike exception of the short turf. By the cr.d of .July the young may ho seen in largo
(locks. Immense numbers collect on the hills' round the broads in autumn, and remain shilling their
quarters from one part of tire marshes to another during open weather. Severe frost and snow, however,
usually drives them to the sea-coast or the mudtlats on tidal rivers or harW.irs.
Five and twenty years ago the Peewit was to be found breeding in considerable cumbers ir. Pen nscy
level, but latterly they have deserted the district almost entirely, constant |X'rsecution undoubtedly being
the cause. In the west of Sussex, between Shorehaiu and Lancing, several pairs used to Mat annually on
the fields and marshes near the coast; these birds, during the past two seasons, have fur the most part
changed their quarters, and now resort to the .shingle-banks just above high-water mark. The nests are
merely slight hollows scratched among the line heai'li-stones, with now and then a strand or two of dead
grass, the only signs of vegetation iu their vicinity consisting of a Tew tufts of rank grass, a plant or two
of the sea-campion [Sihup nuir'iUmii, mure generally known as the catchtly), aud that pretty littlo red llower
so common in most country lanes, Geranium robertIn,mm.
Few birds exhibit greater anxiety when their breeding-haunts are approached than the Peewit; in
almost every district their wailing cry will be heard long liefore their quarters are invaded. In many parts
uf Norfolk and usually in the more northern counties the Redshank and Peewit breed in company, the two
species frequently uniting in their endeavours to draw the intruder from the spot where their offspring
are concealed. On one occasion, while wruehing the movements of a newly hatched brood of downy young
of this species on a small piece of mar-by ground in Glcnlyon, in Perthshire, 1 noticed the parent birds in their
excitement repeatedly flying at and butfetiug a pair or two of unoffending Redshanks breeding in the same
locality. No other Instance of Peewits i ducting themselves so strangely has come under my observation.
While out on Iliekling Broad early on the morning of the 10th of March 1S73, my attention was
attracted by the curious antics of a Peewit on one of the adjoining hills. Lying flat on bis breast with his
beak almost level with the ground, the bird was apparently engaged in scratching out a site for a nest,
turning round from time to time as if on a pivot. It is probable, however, from thu manner iu which
be kepi jerking his tail and spreading uul his feathers, that it was simply the male bird showing himself
off for the admiration of the remale, who was quietly looking on at a short distance; for the following week
I watched the same performance repeatedly by several males, and on examining the spots closely could
find not the slightest, signs of nests.
While on tin: North Sea during October, 1 remarked large bodies of Peewits on two or three occasions
making their nay straight for the shores of Norfolk or Suffolk. The birds usually lly slowly and steadily
at some elevation, moving forward in three or four lines, each individual keeping its station with the
utmost regularity. Flocks numbering from three to five hundred would pass out of sight with hardly a
change in their formation during the time they remained iu view. As Peewits on passage, however, only
came under my observation in still weather or light favouring breezes, it is impossible to state whether
the same order could l>e preserved in their ranks when exposed to squalls or strong wind.
In severe frosts during the depth of winter I have met with Peewits iu Norfolk and Sussex following
* Hill« niu.I, uf courtr, bo liken in THE Norfolk KCE[it»iiiia of tin tunc—timj'ly T nuns.
PEEWIT.
the coast-line and pursuing a course from mirth to soulh in the former county, and from cast to west in the
latter. At times numbers were passed at sea iu the Channel working their way towards the west. I cannot,
however, advance any ei idenee to show that our native birds or the migrants fan ihe north of Eurojie move
to more southerly couutries to pass the remainder of the winter. 1 did not meet with this species while on
the return journey iu the spring lo its northern quarters, or receive any inl'ormuliou from the light-ships off
the cast coast relating to the subject.
Though Peewits have greatly decreased in many parts of England during the past five and twenty years,
there are still many extensive breeding-grounds in the Highlands, on which few, if any, eggs are collected.
This unfortunate bird suffers much persecution; not only are its eggs carried off for weeks in the spring,
but as soon as the large tlocks make their appearance on the mudflats, the punt-gunners deal death and
destruction iu their ranks. At times hundreds and thousands may be seen exposed in the markets, where
they fetch but a low price. For the table the Peewit cannot compare with its relative (he Golden Plover,
lacking at all limes the delicate flavour of the latter, and in open winter! when loaded with fat possessing a
strong and almost disagreeable odour
The Peewit, as a rule, lays four eggs, though towards the end of the season, after having been repeatedly
robbed, 1 have more than once uolieed a bird sitting on three and even two. On one occasion only have I met
with live eggs ; these were taken in April lSGt, on the ground adjoining the curling-pond on Gullaue Links in
East Lothian, the whole proving perfectly fresh.
With the exception of '• Piwype," by which title the Peewit is most commonly known by the marsh-men
in the east of Norfolk, I have heard no local uames applied to this inerere