PLOVERS AND SANDPIPERS. 97 
blotched and spotted with olive-brown and pale 
gray. The Curlew begins to wander coastwards 
as soon as the young are reared. By far the 
majority seen first are young birds, and these arrive 
from the middle of July onwards. 
WHIMBREL. 
This species— which is the Mumenius pheopus 
of systematists—is best known on the British coasts 
during its annual migrations, passing our islands so 
regularly that it has received the name of “May 
Bird.” On the Lincolnshire coast, as well as in 
many other districts, the Whimbrel is almost uni- 
versally known as the “ Jack-Curlew.” During its 
seasonal movements it visits most parts of the 
British coast-line, but mud- flats, salt - marshes, 
estuaries, and extensive reaches of sand, are the 
most favoured localities. Its habits are very similar 
to those of the Curlew—a bird which it somewhat 
closely resembles in general appearance, although 
it is much smaller. It is also a less wary bird, 
especially upon its arrival; much stalking, however, 
soon teaches it shyness. Perhaps the Whimbrel 
is not so often seen on the actual beach as the 
Curlew ; it seems to prefer to resort to slob-lands, 
and swampy meadows adjoining the beach. It 
not only wades, but is said even to swim 
occasionally, and is fond of bathing, throwing 
the water over itself as it stands breast-high in 
the sea. In autumn and winter the Whimbrel is 
G 
