CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 43 



a cry. I have also often listened to the sweet 

 gurgling trill of the Curlew's call on summer nights. 



The above is one side of the picture, i.e., court- 

 ship, love, sentiment ; but take the other, when the 

 Curlew intends to alarm every other winged species 

 within a mile or so of an impending danger, then 

 his call-note is harsh and shrill. I don't fancy 

 there is any bird on our British list that troubles 

 himself so much in watching and jealously guarding 

 the safety and welfare of all his friends and com- 

 panions. Be the species what it may, it doesn't 

 matter. 



I know that when any Curlews are about it is hardly 

 any use trying to stalk anything ; the bird seems to 

 take a delight in spoiling your shot for you. The 

 following instance of the Curlew's regard for the 

 welfare of others is recorded by Howard Saunders 

 in the fourth edition of Yarrell's " British Birds" : 

 " The Editor has seen a Curlew, after shrieking 

 wildly over the head of a sleeping seal, swoop down 

 and apparently flick with its wings the unsuspecting 

 animal, upon which the stalker was just raising his 

 rifle." 



As soon as the breeding-season is over, I think 

 Curlews are fond of the fields not far away from the 

 coast ; they are quite partial to stubble and turnip 

 fields. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in some 

 fields not far from the shores of the Atlantic, and five 

 or six miles out of Castle Gregory. I was out one day 

 with young McCartie, mentioned in my particulars of 



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