114 Stone Curlew 



July the young are getting well grown, and from then onwards to 

 the time of their departure, they keep up an intermittent clamour 

 through the night, from dusk to sunrise. The Stone Curlews are 

 now gathered into flocks : on one common perhaps four pairs of birds 

 have nested, often at some distance from each other, but as soon as 

 the young are able to fly, all the families habitually collect into one 

 flock, resting together by day and departing together at night for 

 their chosen feeding grounds. 



In August it is a very rare occurrence to hnd one or two birds 

 alone ; sometimes they are in the root-fields adjoining the commons, 

 especially where the crop is thin and patchy, sometimes on some 

 selected part of the common, but always in flocks, and these flocks 

 are generally to be found in the same spot day after day, unless they 

 are excessively disturbed. 



When Partridge-driving at the latter end of September, small 

 flocks of Stone Curlew — comprising eight to twenty individuals — 

 are frequently put over the guns. They are, of course, not molested. 



Here is a brief extract from my note book : — 



" 1898. — Norfolk Plover unusually numerous at Sizewell this 

 " season — September i to October i. Flocks of 15-18 seen several 

 " different nights on the ' Black Heth,' calling loudly after 

 " sundown and occasionally by day. During first week's Partridge- 

 " driving (September 20-23) ^ flock of 10 frequently came over 

 " the guns. 



" 1899. — July 29th : put up a flock of 10 Norfolk Plover on 

 " the ' Black Heth ' off some bare ground ; this is the spot where 

 " last year's flock mostly congregated. Frequently seen throughout 

 " August. 



" September ist. — A gunner on the Thorpe Mere told me that 

 " this flock, or one of about the same size, is in the habit of coming 

 " down to the mere every evening about ' flight time,' and stopping 

 " there till morning. He said he could have shot several when he 

 " was waiting for Ducks almost any night after August ist. 



" 1 90 1. — Flock of about 12 passed over guns off ' Grimstones,' 

 " Scotts Hall, September 25th. 



"1906. — Partridge-driving: 11 passed over guns off Potts- 

 " brigg, Scotts Hall, September 25th. 



" 1907. — Partridge-driving, September 25 to October i. — Flock 

 " of 14, Thorpe Vent, Sizewell (this is close to the ' Black Heth ' 

 " previously mentioned). 



" 1908. — Norfolk Plover unusually numerous ; flocks of 15-20, 

 " Scotts Hall ; others on the Leiston Abbey grounds ; and at 

 " Sizewell on the Broom Cover and Crown Farm Commons. 



" October 24th. — Partridge-driving ; flock of 5 off ' Pottsbrigg,' 

 " Scotts HaU (a very late date)." 



I have intentionally left to the end the question of the food of 

 these birds, and I may say at once that my practical knowledge is 

 small. The only efficient way of ascertaining the food of any given 



