39^ OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



adapted either to flying or walking. The lesser crested grebe was 

 also found in a fresh water pond which had no communication with 

 other water at some miles' distance from the sea. MARKWICK. 



STONE-CURLEW. 



On the 2;th February, 1788, stone-curlews were heard to 

 pipe : and on March ist, after it was dark, some were passing 

 over the village, as might be perceived by their quick short note, 

 which they use in their nocturnal excursions by way of watchword, 

 that they may not stray and lose their companions. 



Thus, we see, that retire whithersoever they may in the winter, 

 they return again early in the spring, and are, as it now appears, 

 the first summer birds that come back. Perhaps the mildness of 

 the season may have quickened the emigration of the curlews this 

 year. 



They spend the day in high elevated fields and sheep walks ; 

 but seem to descend in the night to streams and meadows, 

 perhaps for water, which their upland haunts do not afford them. 

 WHITE. 



On the 3ist January, 1792, I received a bird of this species 

 which had been recently killed by a neighbouring farmer, who 

 said he had frequently seen it in his fields during the former part 

 of the winter : this perhaps was an occasional straggler, which by 

 some accident was prevented from accompanying its companions 

 in their migration. MARKWICK. 



THE SMALLEST UNCRESTED WILLOW WREN. 



The smallest uncrested willow wren, or chiff-chaff, is the next 

 early summer bird which we have remarked ; it utters two sharp 

 piercing notes, so loud in hollow woods, as to occasion an echo, 

 and is usually first heard about the 2oth March. WHITE. 



This bird, which Mr. White calls the smallest willow-wren or 

 chiff-chaff, makes its appearance very early in the spring, and is 



