10 



WHIMBEEL. 



LITTLE WHAAP. WHIMBKEL CURLEW. 



PLATE CLXIV. FIG. I. 



Numenius phceopus, PENNANT. 



Numenius Hudsonicus, BRISSON. 



Numenius minor, BRISSON. 



Scolopax pJiceopus, MONTAGU. 



Phaopus arquatus, STEPHENS. 



THE nest of this species is a rude couch, placed among the heather 

 on the open moor, on or by some hillock or low stump. A few dry 

 grasses are the materials of its composition, and it is scarcely hid from 

 view. 



The eggs are four in number, of a dark olive brown colour, blotted 

 with darker brown. They are wide at one end, and much narrower at 

 the other, and are placed in the nest with the pointed ends inwards. 

 They are considered good eating, and being sought for on this account, 

 the numbers of the birds are diminished in consequence. The male 

 and female sit on them by turns. If disturbed from them, they make 

 great outcries to distract the intruder. The young leave the nest as 

 soon almost as hatched, and quickly learn to skulk most warily on the 

 approach of danger. 



J. R. De Capel Wise, Esq., of Lincoln College, Oxford, has forwarded 

 me a beautiful specimen of the egg of this bird. 



