THE STONE-CUELEW 



{CEdicn emus cre])itans) 



Still keeping to the low-lying counties, but repairing to 

 the heaths and commons on the wolds, we may have the good 

 fortune to meet with the singular and interesting Stone- 

 Curlew, Norfolk Plover, or Thicknee, as it is severally known. 

 It is not related very closely to the Curlew, being in fact 

 intermediate between the Bustards and the Plovers, probably 

 most closely related to the latter group of birds. It is a 

 summer migrant to this country, and in spite of the drainage, 

 which has greatly curtailed its haunts, still continues to be 

 fairly well distributed in suitable districts. It returns year 

 after year to its favourite haunts, arriving here in April and 

 leaving in October. Wide extensive heaths and rough open 

 country, which is often turned into rabbit warrens, are the 

 places the Stone -Curlew loves. He is a bird of the dry 

 sandy soils, and rarely if ever wanders to the lower and more 

 marshy ground. Nor does he frequent the wooded country, 

 although his favourite heath may be surrounded with trees 

 and fields with tall hedges. The ground cannot be too rough 

 or broken for the Stone-Curlew — heath and furze and briars, 

 coarse grass and stunted bushes, intermixed with bare pebbly 

 ground; these are the characteristics of its summer haunt. 

 It is a w^ary bird, and usually takes wing the moment an 

 intruder steps upon the heath. Sometimes you may see it 

 standing amongst the herbage, looking warily around with its 



