242 NUMENIUS. CURLEW. 



papillae in transverse rows beneath ; the anterior webbed as 

 far as the second joint ; the hind toe very small. Claws 

 small, slightly arched, compressed, obtuse ; that of the 

 middle toe curved outwards, with, a dilated edge. 



Plumage moderately full, soft, blended, the feathers 

 oblong or lanceolate. Wings very long, narrow, pointed, 

 with about thirty quills ; first primary longest, the rest 

 rapidly graduated ; secondaries slightly incurved, rounded, 

 and acuminate ; some of the inner much elongated and 

 tapering ; tertiaries seven, concealed by the very long sca- 

 pulars. Tail rather short, rounded, of twelve acuminate 

 feathers, the two middle considerably longer. 



The genus Numenius is very nearly allied to Tantalus 

 on the one hand, and to Limosa on the other. It is com- 

 posed of species varying in size from that of a Domestic 

 Fowl to that of the Woodcock. They are generally distri- 

 buted, of migratory habits, present a great uniformity of 

 appearance, frequent the shores in winter and spring, breed 

 on the moors, laying four pyriform mottled or clouded eggs, 

 and seldom associate with other species. Shy, easily alarmed, 

 and extremely vigilant, they are with difficulty approached. 

 They run with great celerity ; have a powerful, light, and 

 rapid flight ; and feed on insects, larva?, mollusca, and 

 Crustacea. Their flesh is excellent, being sapid, savoury, 

 and highly-flavoured ; and their eggs are delicious. 



The only character in which the Curlews differ from the 

 Tringinse is their having a very short tongue, that organ being 

 elongated and pointed in the other species of this family. 

 In this respect they resemble the Tantalinse, to which they 

 are further allied in the form of the bill ; but from which 

 they differ in that of the wings, the general style of colouring 

 of the plumage, and in having a more muscular gizzard, with 

 longer coeca. 



Two species occur in Britain — the Curlew, properly so 

 called, and the Whimbrel ; the former indigenous, the latter 

 partially so, but for the most part migratory. 



