HARDJVICRE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



i75 



that no real danger was at hand, they let them fall 

 again and prosecuted as before their victualling pursuit. 



Thus it would appear that, not only is the curlew 

 aware of the dangerous character of the report of a 

 gun, but further, as to whether the particular shot 

 fired was directed at it or not, as the case may be. A 

 transmission of hereditary instinct supported by some 

 species of nerve-sympathy as yet unexplained, will 

 probably sufficiently account for this peculiar instinc- 

 tive kind of foreknowledge and astuteness manifested 

 by specially shy and apprehensive animals. 



The wild beauty of the curlew's eye has frequently 

 been noticed ; and the extraordinary suppleness of 

 his neck joints, whereby he can turn his bill and head 

 round while the whole of the rest of the body remains 

 motionless, is another beautiful feature in the aspect 

 of the creature. Every movement of the bird is 

 exquisitely graceful. As regards the feature of 

 gracefulness in animal movement in general, it may 

 be observed, that it seems certain that unless the joints 

 are easy and supple no such consequence can be 

 produced. Gymnasts tell us that in order to become 

 a graceful and finished performer it is absolutely 

 indispensable to study and practise what they term 

 free exercises, i. e. exercises calculated to supple the 

 joints, rather than to invigorate the muscles ; and 

 any one accustomed to observe circus acrobats can see 

 that this provision is perfectly correct. With these 

 facts before us, we are fairly warranted in presuming 

 that the joints of the curlew are well oiled and limber, 

 in fact, peculiarly freely and easily worked. The 

 peculiar length and structure of limb is doubtless also 

 specially adapted to this easy pliancy, mobility, and 

 suppleness. The temperament of the bird, moreover, 

 is decidedly active and vivacious. There is a great 

 evolution of life-energy in his system ; and this circum- 

 stance would doubtless contribute in the production 

 of the graceful quality of action now under review. 



Towards the end of March the curlew terminates 

 his seaside sojourn, and betakes himself to wild 

 moorland hills and lakes. On such occasions, fre- 

 quently during the night-time, the dweller in the 

 vicinity of the sea may observe the sky almost 

 darkened by an imposing array of careering, 

 whistling birds. Vast bands of curlews accumulate 

 and fly away to their more retired and inland breed- 

 ing grounds. In this situation their native shyness 

 evaporates, and they become bold and intrusive, 

 flying in the very face of the sportsman-wanderer of 

 the moorland hills. Their cry and tones of voice 

 become altered, their very mode of flight is changed, 

 and they engage assiduously in the breeding duties. 

 The nest is built near the edge of some reedy marsh 

 or rushy lake ; and it is said that when the young 

 are first hatched, their bills are short and stumpy, 

 and afford no earnest of the excessive length they 

 attain to afterwards. The bill certainly requires a 

 longer time to grow than the body does, whatever 

 relation this fact may bear to adaptability for par- 



ticular purposes, &c. ; and we fancy that a Darwinite 

 could make great capital out of this curious appen- 

 dage and the quality of its development as regards 

 the creature's habits, circumstances, and require- 

 ments. This bill, we may mention, is very thick, 

 and has a narrow groove in the middle not occupied 

 by the tongue. The nasal groove in the upper man- 

 dible is very long and narrow. The whole structure 

 is from five to seven inches long, and is amply 

 organic and lavishly furnished with sensitive nerves 

 from the fifth pair, thereby apprising the creature of 

 the nature and extent of its operations in the matter 

 of obtaining food, &c. The excessive shyness of the 

 curlew constitutes its principal feature of character. 

 It acts as a most serviceable warning beacon to 

 apprise its fellow mates of the vicinity of danger. 

 The responsibilities of the breeding period, fire as 

 we have seen, its hostile passions, and its vocal 

 tones amply express this emotional condition. But, 

 on the other hand, the bird is eminently social and 

 sociable ; and when congregated together for a 

 common object, as when they marshal for flight, in 

 beautiful circular and other manoeuvres, they all the 

 while, or at times, utter a soft guttural note exceed- 

 ingly indicative of mutual trust and affection. 



Of unwearied assiduity in the pursuit of food, of 

 commendable attention to business, is the rotund 

 and comfortable-looking little sea-pie or oyster- 

 catcher {Ostralegus luematopits). When we observe 

 their fat, dumpy, and well-stuffed bodies, we opine 

 that they are abundantly replenished already ; but, 

 nevertheless, during almost the entire period of the 

 tidal ebb, they most industriously labour in the 

 procurement of sustenance. What incessant pecking 

 and probing with their long, orange, ill-shaped bills ! 

 What eagerness do they exhibit, as if they had not 

 a moment to spare, or as if they were half-starved 

 through fasting too long from their last meal ! Some- 

 times they are observed to stand like a pointer as if 

 fascinated, and then they start forwards, and eagerly 

 secure some coveted morsel. No doubt their period 

 of feeding is rather less than that enjoyed by most 

 other birds ; and this fact may possibly account for 

 their apparently excessive gluttony. The extreme 

 wariness of the oyster-catcher induces it to keep at a 

 very respectful distance from the shore, in fact, farther 

 away than any of its congeners. Their well-contrasted 

 piebald black and white plumage renders them very 

 conspicuous, and ready marks for any sportsman on 

 murderous thoughts intent. During the tidal flow 

 they repair in large flocks to some quiet haven in the 

 bay which they frequent, some retired sea pool let 

 out of the reach of man's destructive arm where, 

 secure and safe, they placidly await the fall of the 

 waters, knowing instinctively the proper period to 

 return. It is interesting to watch their deportment 

 when the time comes for them to terminate the 

 gormandising process. At some particular part of 

 the shore they all stand in a detached flock, silent 



