Lapwing And Ringdove

: NATURE SONGS
: Popular Rhymes And Nursery Tales

The common people in the North Riding of Yorkshire, says Brockett, ii.

71, believe that at one period the cushat, or ringdove, laid its eggs

upon the ground, and that the peewit, or lapwing, made its nest on high;

but that some time or other, an amicable arrangement took place between

these birds, exchanging their localities for building. The peewit

accordingly expresses its disappointment at the bargain as follows:



Pee-wit, pee-wit,

I coup'd my nest and I rue it.



While the cushat rejoices that she is out of the reach of mischievous

boys,--



Coo, coo, come now,

Little lad

With thy gad,

Come not thou!



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