THE CURLEW. 



255 



of the birds while the gunner lies hidden in a 

 dyke. As soon as the birds chase the dog, which 

 they frequently will do, he draws gradually towards 

 his master, until a shot is obtained. Sometimes 

 two or three Curlews are killed at a time in this 

 way ; but the plan is said not to answer with a 

 flock. We can confirm its success, however, with 

 a single bird, for we once killed a Heron which 

 we should never have got near, had not a red setter 

 attracted its attention, and on being whistled to, 

 brought up the bird within shot. 



Those who have had much experience in shore- 

 shooting must have remarked how much Curlews 

 differ in size. Whether this difference is dependent 

 upon age or sex is a point still discussed. We have 

 hitherto been inclined to believe that the variation 

 is owing to age ; but as this conclusion has been 

 drawn chiefly from external appearances, and in a 

 few instances only from dissection (for we generally 

 eat all the Curlews we get), and as in the case of 

 other waders for example, the Bartailed Godwit 

 the female has proved to be invariably larger than 

 the male, it is possible that the same rule may hold 

 good with the Curlew. 



