Lapwing And Ringdove
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NATURE SONGS
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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!