A small European bird of the Plover family (
Vanellus cristatus, or
Vanellus vanellus). It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards, downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. Its eggs are the “plover's eggs” of the London market, esteemed a delicacy. It is called also
peewit,
dastard plover, and
wype. The
gray lapwing is the
Squatarola cinerea. [
1913 Webster]