430 



GPtALLATORES. 



The most interesting species is — 



The Cream-coloured Courser {Cursorius isahellinus), 

 one of the rarest visitors to our shores ; indeed, only 

 three or four instances have heen recorded of its appear- 

 ance in Great Britain at various intervals since 1785. 

 Some years ago one was shot in Kent, and the following 

 account is all that we possess of its history : — 



It was first met with running over some light land, 

 and so little fearful was it, that the person who after- 

 wards shot it had time to send for a gun, which did not 

 readily go off, having been charged some time, and in 

 consequence he missed his aim. The report frightened 

 the bird away ; but after making a turn or two it again 

 settled within a hundred yards, and was despatched. It 

 was observed to run with incredible swiftness, and at 

 intervals to pick up something from the ground, and was 

 so bold as to render it difficult to make it rise, in order 

 to shoot it while on the wmg. The note was not like 

 that of a Plover, nor, indeed, to be compared with that 

 of any known bird.* 



The Cream-coloured Courser is a native of Syria, Egypt, 

 and Abyssinia, where it seems generally to frequent 

 pools and other moist 'situations. Its winter residence is 

 supposed to be the central lakes of Africa, from which it 

 returns to the countries named above early in autumn, 

 and disappears at the approach of winter. Nothing is 

 known of its nidification. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Gaulish Courser {Cursorius Gallicus), figured at 

 the head of the chapter. 



* This specimen found its way into the Leverian Museum, at the 

 sale of which it was purchased by Fichtel, who afterwards disposed 

 of it to Dr. Donovan for the sum of eighty-three guineas. It is 

 now in the British Museum. 



