WHIMHKEL. 



517 



obtained the names of Half-Curlew and Jack-Curlew in re- 

 ference to its diminished comparative proportions. Though 

 to be seen occasionally on many parts of our shores in winter, 

 it is generally most plentiful in May, and again in Autumn, 

 when these birds are on their way to and from the northern 

 localities where they resort during the breeding season, and 

 in which they produce their young. 



The eggs of the Whimbrel are rare in collections, and I 

 have never heard of any being obtained in the southern coun- 

 ties. Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, sends me word that these 

 birds are only seen in Ireland in spring and autumn. They 

 are seen also at the same periods on the Grampians and 

 other high grounds of Scotland. Mr. Selby mentions that 

 the Whimbrel Avas seen in the summer of ]8fS4, upon the 

 margin of Loch Shin in Sutherlandshire, but no eggs or 

 vounor were obtained. Mr. Salmon, who visited the Isle of 

 Hoy, in Orkney, says the Whimbrel breeds there, but goes 

 to nest early, as the eggs were all hatched by the 3rd of 

 June. Dr. Fleming says this bird breeds in Shetland, where 

 it is called Tang-Whaap ; the nest is placed on exposed parts 

 of the heath. Mr. Hewitson names two of the Shetland 

 Isles, Yell, and Has-cosea, where they breed, but the birds 

 are in small and rapidly decreasing numbers, their eggs being 

 there considered a delicacy. Mr. Dunn, who has more than 

 once visited both Orkney and Shetland, says, the Curlew and 

 the Whimbrel do not associate together, although he has 

 found their nests within a gun-shot of each other. The 

 latter birds leave these islands immediately after the breeding 

 season is over. 



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

 blotched with darker brown ; they are pear-shaped, and very 

 much like those of the Curlew, but smaller, measuring two 

 inches five lines in length, by one inch eight lines in 

 breadth. The birds feed on insects and worms, and their note 



