Act iii. Sc. 1.
It is rather curious that Shakespeare has not alluded to this bird under its popular name of “Peewit,”—a name which, derived from its cry, we believe to be of some antiquity. Nor has he referred to it by another name, which must have been commonly applied to it in his day, i.e., “Wype.” In the old “Household Books” and “Privy Purse Expenses,” we frequently meet with such entries as the following:—
“Item, it is thought goode that wypes[126] be hade for my Lordes own mees onely and to be at jd. a pece.”
The young of this, and many other, species run almost as soon as hatched, and Shakespeare has not overlooked this peculiarity:—
“This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.”
Hamlet, Act v. Sc. 2.
We have before had occasion to make a passing allusion to the Heron, and in the present chapter this bird deserves more particular attention, from the fact of its being so frequently flown at by falconers.
Hawking at herons was thought to be “a marvellous and delectable pastime,” and in all the published treatises upon falconry, many pages are dedicated to this particular branch of the sport.
Not only were herons protected by Act of Parliament,
but penalties were incurred for taking the eggs,[127] and no one was permitted to shoot within 600 paces of a heronry, under a penalty of £20 (7 Jac. I. c. 27).