1 84 OUR RARER BIRDS 



approached they scatter and conceal themselves amongst the 

 herbage and stones ; and sometimes the mother bird crouches 

 close to the ground and remains motionless, just as the female 

 Pheasant will often do under similar circumstances. 



As soon as the young birds can fly, the Stone-Curlew be- 

 comes more gregarious. The broods and their parents often 

 unite with other families that have been bred on the same 

 stretch of heath, and feed and fly together in a small flock 

 until the time of departure arrives. In the dusk of the autumn 

 evenings, or in the hours of early morning, the Stone-Curlews 

 are particularly active ; and I have seen them amongst the 

 turnips at this season searching for worms and snails under 

 the broad dew -laden leaves. How beautiful these autumn 

 morninofs are ! What a brisfht fresh charm the fields and 

 heaths possess in these early hours before the bustling busy 

 world is well awake I This is the chosen hour for animated 

 nature, and birds are exceptionally active and full of excite- 

 ment. What pen can do justice to the glorious tints of the 

 autumn woods, or the bewitching colours on the hedgerows 

 and the heaths as they glow and glisten in the rising sun ? 

 The air is deliciously sharp and fresh, and laden with the 

 dying year's sweet fragrance. How mellow is the voice of the 

 Stormcock ! how plaintively beautiful the Eobin's autumnal 

 song ! Most birds display more activity now than they will 

 indulge in until evening, and the Stone-Curlews are no excep- 

 tion to the rule. They may be watched feeding on the marshy 

 portions of the heaths, or running up and down amongst the 

 short ling in quest of sustenance. Though excessively wary 

 and shy, it is easy to conceal yourself amongst the thick vege- 

 tation, and watch their movements either as they run about the 

 ground or fly from place to place high up in the air. The 

 Stone-Curlew migrates at night, and leaves us in autumn as 

 suddenly and as stealthily as it came in spring. A figure of this 

 curious bird is iiiven in the illustration with the Water-Eail. 



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