WHIMBREL. 101 



The eastern form is probably only subspecifically distinct, and shonld bear 

 the name of Nunienius phceopus variegatus *. A distinct species, A^. tenui- 

 rostris, breeds in the basin of the Mediterranean and winters in Africa ; 

 it may be distinguished by its white instead of barred axillaries, by the 

 absence of the pale mesial line on the crown, in which respect it resembles 

 the Curlew, and by having the ground-colour of the tail white barred with 

 dark brown. The Whimbrcl is represented on the American continent by 

 an allied species, N. hudsonicus, and in the Pacific islands by a somewhat , 

 more distantly allied species, A^. tahifiensis, both of which principally differ 

 in having the axillaries and under wing-coverts pale chestnut, barred with 

 dark brown, and in having the rump coloured like the back. 



In many of its habits the Whimbrel very closely resembles the Curlew. 

 In its journey northwards to its breeding-grounds it crosses the Mediter- 

 ranean both at Gibraltar and in the Levant in April, and arrives on our 

 coasts about the 1st of May. So regular is it in its migrations that in 

 many parts of the British Islands it is known as the ''May bird." In 

 August flocks of young birds make their appearance, the old birds arriving 

 a little later. Most of these Whimbrels leave our shores before the end of 

 September, recrossing the Mediterranean in September and October. The 

 Whimbrel generally migrates during the night in flocks, sometimes con- 

 taining several hundred birds. They chiefly frequent the low-lying coasts, 

 searching the mud-banks and marshes for food, but they also feed on 

 pastures near the sea, as well as on the grass-covered " saltings/^ Upon 

 their arrival they are far from shy, presenting in this respect a marked 

 contrast to the Curlew ; but incessant persecution soon teaches them a 

 lesson and increases their wariness. They seldom run, preferring to walk 

 sedately and slowly with heads bent downwards in eager search for food. 

 When alarmed they stretch themselves to their full height, look anxiously 

 around, and then hurriedly take wing, or if satisfied of their safety begin 

 to feed again. When in the air they very closely resemble the Curlew, but 

 they fly quicker and often much closer to the ground. The wings are 

 moved with rapid beats, and just before alighting the bird often holds them 

 bent downwards and outspread, and skims along for some distance. The 

 flock often keeps up a chorus of anxious cries, a clear shrill whistle several 

 times repeated. They fly at an immense height, especially when on migra- 

 tion, their peculiar call sounding faint overhead being often the only sign of 

 their presence. 



The Whimbrel is not so exclusively a shore-feeder as the Curlew. It loves 

 * The synonymy of the eastern form is as follows : — 



Tantalus variegatus, Scop. Bel. Fl. Faun. Ins. ii. p. 92 (1780, e.v Somierat). 



Numeuius luzonieusis, Gmel. Sijst. Nat. i. p. 65G (1788, ex Sonnei-at). 



Numenius atricapillus, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. viii. p. 303 (1817, ex Sonnerat). 



Numenius uropygialis, Gould, Froc. Zool. Soc. 1840, p. 175. 



