362 CHARADRIIDAs 
devoid cf cover, 1s well known to every observer of shore- 
birds. Each member of the flock grows uneasy and 
suspicious should it see an observer watching it even from 
a distance. Presently a shrill whistle is given forth from a 
wary veteran, then from a few more birds, soon a dozen 
or, more voices are heard as the outlying members wing 
their way towards the densest part of the flock. The alarm 
rapidly spreads among the ranks, until, with one accord, an 
immense mass of birds is seen taking wing, accompanied by 
a babel of whistles of Curlews and other shore-birds. For 
the warning has by this time reached far and wide, so that 
Redshanks, Plovers, and other species, growing anxious, 
also relinquish their feeding-grounds. The Curlew is an 
unduly timid bird, and will leave the shore at the sight of 
aman even though far beyond gunshot-range. Most wild- 
fowl rather shun ‘the society of the Curlew when they 
can, as its constant note of alarm, sounded unnecessarily 
Fic. 48.—HEAD OF CURLEW. i Nat. size. 
often, becomes a source of worry and uneasiness. But in 
foggy weather Curlew can be approached closer on the open 
strand, and it is extraordinary how much magnified they 
appear as they stand along the edge of the tranquil tide. 
In thick weather I have been almost startled as one or 
two of these great birds, looming out of the fog, uttered a 
piercing screech immediately over my head, at the same 
time swerving sharply in its flight the instant that it 
saw me. 
Flight.—Vhe flight, though much less cleaving and 
twisting than that of the smaller shore-birds, is neverthe- 
less rapid and sustained. The steady up-and-down wing- 
strokes remind one of the hurried flight of a Gull. When 
travelling long distances the birds of a flock may be seen 
to arrange themselves in a V-shape, or less often in a rather 
