WHIMBREL. 



LITTLE WHAAP. WHIMBREL CURLEW. 



PLATE CLXIV. FIG. I. 



Numenius plicBojpus, .... Pennant. 



Numenius Sudsonicus, .... Bbisson. 



Numenius minor, .... Brisson. 



Scolopax phcBopus, ..... Montagu. 



Phceopus ar(piatus, .... Stephens. 



The nest of this species is a rude couch, placed 

 among the heather on the open moor, on or by some 

 hillock or low stump. A few dry grasses are the 

 materials of its composition, and it is scarcely hid 

 from view. 



The eggs are four in number, of a dark olive brown 

 colour, blotted with darker brown. They are wide at 

 one end, and much narrower at the other, and are placed 

 in the nest with the pointed ends inwards. They are 

 considered good eating, and being sought for on this 

 account, the numbers of the birds are diminished in 

 consequence. The male and female sit on them by 

 turns. If disturbed from them, they make great outcries 

 to distract the intruder. The young leave the nest as 

 soon almost as hatched, and quickly learn to skulk 

 most warily on the approach of danger. 



J. R. De Capel Wise, Esq., of Lincoln College, 

 Oxford, has forwarded me a specimen of the egg of 

 this bird. 



