274 the nests and eggs of british birds. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Curlew are four in number, usually 

 pyriform, but sometimes rotund in shape and large for 

 the size of the bird. They vary from olive-green to buff 

 in ground colour, blotched and spotted with olive-brown, 

 and with underlying markings of pale gray. Occasionally 

 a few streaks of blackish-brown occur. Several types are 

 presented. One variety has the markings comparatively 

 small, and mostly congregated in a zone round the 

 larger end of the Q'gg ; another has the markings uni- 

 formly distributed over the entire surface ; another has 

 the markings large and well-defined, few, and very rich 

 in colour. Average measurement, 27 inches in length, 

 by 1*85 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly 

 by the female, lasts about thirty days. 



Diagnostic characters : The large size, pyriform 

 shape, and olive appearance distinguish the eggs of the 

 Curlew from those of allied species breeding in our 

 islands. 



Family CHARADRIID^. Genus NuMENius. 



Sub-family TOTANINAi. 



W H I M B R E L. 



NuMENius PH/EOPUS {Lmna;i/s). 



Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June. 



British breeding area : The Whimbrel's breeding 

 area in the British Islands is a remarkably restricted 

 one, and is nowhere known to extend on to the main- 

 land. A few pairs nest on North Ronay in the 

 Hebrides, and on the Orkneys, whilst a greater number 

 do so on the Shetlands. It is not improbable that this 



