NUMENIUS PHOPUS. 693 
defies the efforts of the sportsman. It loves flat marshy lands and 
the open sea-beach, where it searches for its food, which consists of 
small marine insects, crustacea, worms, &c. At some seasons these 
birds grow very fat, and they are palatable as food, especially when 
they have not frequented the sea-shore for too long a period. The 
Curlew swims with considerable ease, but appears not to take to the 
water by choice. Senor Anchieta has obtained three specimens on 
the Coroca River in Mossamedes. 
Plumage of the head, neck, and fore part of the back, light 
reddish grey, streaked longitudinally with blackish brown; hind 
part of the back white, with narrow longitudinal dark marks; tail 
white, with twelve dark brown bars; the breast, sides, and 
abdomen, white, with lanceolate dark brown spots and bars; bill 
very long (six to seven inches) and curved downwards. ‘Total length 
(of male), 25”; wing, 12” 6’; tail, 4” 6’”. The female is somewhat 
smaller. 
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. viii, pl. 563. 
667. NumeEnius pHmoprus, LD. Whimbrel. 
The Whimbrel seems to be a rarer bird in South Africa than the 
Curlew. Two specimens came under our notice during our residence 
at the Cape, one being shot by Mr. L. C. Layard near Cape Town, 
and the other by Mr. Butler in the same locality. Mr. W. Atmore 
says that they are common at the mouth of Brak River, and at the 
Knysna Lakes. Mr. Ayres has met with them in Natal, but says 
that they are not so common there as the Curlew, with which they 
associate. He has also shot a specimen near Potchefstroom in 
the month of November. Mr. Andersson writes :—‘ So far as my 
observation goes, the Whimbrel is less common in Damara and 
Great Namaqua Land than the Curlew, and, in, fact, is but rarely 
met with. Its food consists of snails, shells, crabs, insects, &c.” 
Upper part of the head, dark brown, with a medial and two 
lateral whitish bands, streaked with dusky ; neck, all round, pale 
brownish grey, streaked with brown; feathers of the fore part of 
the back, ‘scapulars, and wing-coverts, dusky, with marginal 
whitish spots; hind part of back white; tail and coverts, greyish 
white, barred with dusky; chin, hind part of breast, and abdomen, 
white ; fore part of breast streaked ; sides and lower wing-coverts 
