THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 59 



we managed to secure the scull, feet and pinions as 

 proof positive. 



Another Black Stork was afterwards seen, and in 

 all probability it shared a similar fate. 



CURLEW. 



Numenius arquata (Linn.). 



Curlews frequent our salt-marshes and mud-flats 

 in considerable numbers, they make their appearance 

 the latter end of August ; our shooters lose no time 

 in taking advantage of their arrival ; with dogs for 

 the purpose, they conceal themselves along shore, the 

 Curlews, supposing the dog to be a fox, immediately 

 give chase, uttering their peculiar cry and are shot. 

 Some few Curlews remain with us throughout the 

 summer, but they do not attempt to breed. 



WHIMBREL. 

 Numenius Phoeopus (Linn.). 



The seventh day of May is the grand time for the 

 Whimbrels. They are distributed singly on the edge 

 of the river Medway, and by the side of every creek, 

 following the tide as it recedes, returning with the 

 tide when it flows, and after staying a week or ten 

 days they are all off together, not a single one being 

 left behind. In the autumn they make no stay, 

 flying high overhead we hear their clear whistle. 



