2 CURLEW.
main body, the l : Whaaps" (as my Highland punlman termed them), in some instances at least, drew off as
tin' strangers advanced. Godwits, Plovers, Knots, and even the diminutive Dunlins, when driven from their
quarters by the hare-1egged lads and lassies who now and then invaded the Hals in quest of shell lish, would
at times alight on the same bank, nnd rapidly spreading out, join in company with their larger relatives.
The slightest alarm, however, would at once dissolve the partnership. The Godwits and Plovers, together with
their small followers, would invariably (though in separate thicks) make for some well-known feeding-ground,
while the Curlew-, n ben all was again quiet, w oiild lie seen drawn up by themselves on a distant inudhank or
mussel-scarp.
While brought up for a few minutes late one evening, intently examining an immense Hock collected
by the flood-tide on a rapidly contracting space (mentally computing whether a bag of eighty or one
hundred would he nearest the mark if the trigger were pulled 1, an unaccountable tint teeing of wiugs suddenly
cnught my ear; and on looking up, a Cormorant was seen hovering with extended pinions and drooping feet
within a yard of our heads, evidently about to settle on some part of the punt. Oa perceiving his mistake he
sheared off in desperate baste, though without in the slightest degree arousing the suspicious of the usually
watchful Curlew.
The regularity with which this species will make its way to the mudbanks on salt-water estuaries or along
the open coa-t-line as soon as the tide bos fallen sufficiently to expose its food, is well known to all who have
watched the habits of these wary birds. Though the spots to which they retire are often situated some
distance inland, it is seldom that their aecust mod quarter- e.m be explored lor any length of time b-forc the
thick are seen approaching. The banks near Goring, in the west of Sussex, are generally resorted to at low water
by from fifty to one hundred Curlews. It is a strange fact that instead of making their way inland, these birds
invariably betake themselves as the tide flows to the shingle-hanks near shorehain Harbour. Their usual station
is on the ridge of the bank just above high-water mark. At times they will spread over the wide expanse of
shingle-Hats, hut a lew are always left to guard against a surprise by way of the sea. During the night some of
their number at times appear on the mudflats in Shorebatn Harbour; but their daily routine all the year round
consists or half their time on the flats at Goring and the remainder on tin- shingle-hanks. If disturbed, they
make their way out to sea, and occasionally fly some distance along the coast, though in less than half an hour
they are again seeking to alight on some poll ion of I heir accustomed haunts. All through the summer months I
hate fur many years watched these birds in the same locality ; there is occasionally in winter a -light increase
ill their nUUTUMB.
Curlews while on flight are commonly mistaken for Geese or Ducks by those unacquainted with their
habits. At times they proceed in a long string in single file, and occasionally for a short distance in the < form
similar to wild Geese ; while not unfrequeutly they may be seen purs.ung their course without the slightest
attempt at order, every bird in the ranks from time to time shifting its position It is seldom that a Hock is in
view for many minutes without some changes in the formation being noticed. Though not as a rule joining
In company with other species, it occasionally happen- that a few stray ' • idw ¡1-, Grey I'luvcis, or other small
Waders may lie discerned in the line during their pa-sage from one feeding-ground to another. Every wildfowlshooter
must have constantly observed lie small sine of some of the passing flock, though a powerful
glass and a clear sky are necessary to ascertain the identity of the interlopers with any degree of certainty.
This species is by no means so frequent a visitor as might he expected to the rush-grown marshes in the
eastern counties, lint few flocks of any extent have come under my notice in this district, though at times
when the hills are Hooded small parties may lie scon (but more frequently htai'd; flying over. 1 repeatedly
remarked that it was almost invariably during rough and stormy weather, or with impending flood-, that the lew
Curlew s ever making their appearance wen' observed in the neighbourhood of the br ails of the east of Norfolk.
These birds are exceedingly jealous of any stranger, feathered or otherwise, approaching their quarters.
CURLEW,
While passing over the moors on a low-lying portion of Strath Glass during the List week in May 1S7«, the
loud and angry cries of a Curlew were heard, and the next moment the bird came in view, following and
buffeting with the utmost fury a large female Ki'stril, which happened in the most inoffensive manner to bo
crossing the Hats on which the nest of the Wader was situated. The Hawk appeared but little disconcerted by
the attack, and kept steadily on its way across a loch fnim which scores of Ulaek-headed Gulls turned out
and joined in the clamour.
If their proceedings arc carefully watched it will be seen that these birds extrae!, i imaa quantities of
marine worms and other insects from the mudflats. Though they may at times obtain a small amount of
sustenance, such as soft oralis and other crustácea, off the sandlianks and rocks, it is, 1 ludicve, principally Inhering
in the ooze of the mudflats that their food is obtained. In the south of Scotland (East Lothian) I
have repeatedly noticed large flocks frequenting the grass-parks as well as the arable lands during the autumn.
At this time they arc more lit fur table than at any other season.
Curlews, during severe frosts, arc occasionally to be seen exposed for sale in numbers in the markets, and
are not unfrequeutly hawked about the streets as Sen-Woodcocks. Under some cireuni stun ees they may possibly
afluid a passable dish, though I am decidedly of opinion that any person purchasing one with the expectation
that it w ill compare vv ith a Golden Plover or a Woodcock will meet w ith disappointment. For my own part, not
considering these Waders worth a charge or powder and shot when required for the table, I have but seldom of
Late years molested them ' , especially as it is the best policy ta remain at peace with the large flocks that
occasionally fall in the way of the punt-gimner. After a few shots they are usually unapproachable, nnd the
noise they make when alarmed is as well understood by all wildfowl as the warning cry of the Oyster-catcher
or Redshank. Though exceedingly tempting chances were repeatedly passed over, I have occasionally, when
anxious I o blow n chai ge li in tin - nut i piited luuzile-lnniliT- on the eoa-ts of the Scutch friths or on the Norfolk
flats, stopped as many as a dozen or a score with the discharge of the old gun. But one fair shot at these
birds is recorded in my notes. On this occasion forty-two Curlews and six Wigeon were gathered to the beata.
As is almost invariably the ease, a mishap (in this instance the accidental grounding of the punt on a
detached and partially submerged piece of mud) occurred and considerably interfered with the results.
The plumoge of the Curlew during the brecdiug-senson has been, in the case of the few individuals
I have closely examined, far richer ill tint than ¡u the winter mouths. The marking- on the breast .ire
also more clearly detiucd and extended, the feathers on the underparts being hut slightly streaked and
almost white in winter. 1 particularly noticed that in the only pair I ever procured as specimens during the
summer the beaks were decidedly smaller than in those killed in winter. I am also of opinion that these
Waders attain a greater weight throughout the latter part of autumn and winter than during the summer.
The young, I have repeatedly remarked, when shot on the south coast shortly after their lirst arrival Bom the
north, appear both larger and heavier than the adults obtained at their br.sslimr-hauuts.
The black and bniwu markings on the down of the nestlings are not unlike those on young wild Ducks;
the colours, however, are more intermixed, the black patches being of smaller extent. The beak for some weeks
is short, and resembles in shape that of the Golden Plover, though slightly longer and thicker. The young
birds run as soon as hatched, and are almost as large as the adults Wore they can get on wing, lu parts of
the Highlands where roads intersect the moors, the juvenil.* may be watc!**! stalking aliout hi the heather
anil coarse grass, pcrn-ctly unconcerned and by no means alarmed by a passing conveyance. If approached,
however, they will, after a short and clumsy attempt at escape, squat down In some thick cover, and on
being lifted up, utter a low and plaintive whistle, which frequeully summons the old bird from some