484 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



with brov/n. Legs and toes bluish-black ; claws 

 black. Distinguished from the Curlew by being 

 considerably smaller in size and having a difference 

 in call note. 



The female is similar in plumage, but about two 

 inches greater in length. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground, amongst 

 the heather, or in the shelter of a tuft of grass, 

 on open moors in the Shetlands, Orkneys, and 

 Hebrides. I have only met with its nest in one 

 place in the Shetlands, and although I see small flocks 

 until the middle of June in the Outer Hebrides 

 each year, have never found a nest there. 



Materials. A few blades of dried grass, used 

 as a lining to the depression chosen. 



Eggs. Four, pear-shaped, olive-green to olive- 

 brown in ground-colour, blotched and spotted with 

 varying shades of brown and light grey. They 

 resemble the darker varieties of the Common 

 Curlew's, but are smaller, and are rather larger and 

 more pear-shaped than those of Richardson's Skua, 

 with which they are likely to be confused. Size 

 about 2.35 by 1.65 in. (See Plate IX.) 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving at its breeding 

 grounds in April and May and departing in Sep- 

 tember. Notes : tetty, tetty, tetty, let. Local and 

 other names : Whimbrel Curlew, Little Whaap, 

 Lang Whaap, Jack Curlew, Half Curlew, Curlew 

 Knot, Maybird, Mayfowl, Titterel, Seven Whistler, 

 Stone Curlew (a name also given to the Norfolk 

 Plover or Thicknee), Chequer Bird. Not a close 

 sitter, but makes a considerable outcry when dis- 

 turbed. 



