Vanellus vulgaris, Heckst.
LAPWING OE PEEWIT.
VANELLUS VULGARIS, Bechst.
Vanellus vulgaris, Bechstein, Ornith. Tasch. p. 313 (1803) ;
Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 283; Dresser, vii. p. 545.
Charadrius vanellus, Naum. vii. p. 269.
Vanellus cristatus, Macg. iv. p. 133; Hewitson, ii. p. 301.
Vanneau huppe, French; Kiebitz, German; Are fria,
Spanish.
Under the two names given above, and that of Green
Plover, the present species is so well known throughout
the British Islands that any lengthened notice on my
part would be quite superfluous. One of the most
remarkable characteristics of the Peewit is its affection
for particular spots for nesting; several instances have
come to my knowledge of pairs of this species continue
ing to nest annually on what had been open commons
or grazing-lands after they were not only brought under
cultivation, but cut up into small enclosures divided by
quick-set fences. Although these birds congregate in
the autumn and winter in marshy places, and occasionally
in vast flocks on the sea-shore, they may, roughly
speaking, be said to nest almost anywhere, and a high
and dry fallow-field is quite as likely for what are
generally known as “ Plover’s eggs ” as the low-lying