1 8 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



CURLUW. (R. Plovers and Snipes.) 



Size. Rook. 



Colour. Brown, with narrow dark centres to feathers. 

 Rump white with black streaks ; tail white or ashy 

 white with black bars, underneath white with black 

 streaks. 



Note. A whistling cry, somewhat resembling the 

 name ' Curlew.' 



Distinguishing Feature. Large size, curved bill, 

 colour, and note. The note is sometimes heard from 

 overhead in places where it does not otherwise occur, 

 as the bird is passing to its breeding-haunts in the spring, 

 The observer of birds will do well to look up when he 

 hears an unknown call, as he may be rewarded with a 

 glimpse ot some avian stranger. 



Nest. Shallow depression on the ground. 



Eggs. Olive-brown, well marked with darker brown. 



Haunts. In summer, uplands and moorlands where 

 there are soft boggy patches. In winter the Curlew 

 goes to the seaside, and many migrate south. 



DABCHICK. (R. Grebes.) 



Size. Blackbird, large. Practically no tail, which 

 gives it a stumpy appearance. 



Colour. Smoky-black, sides of neck and breast deep 

 chestnut, as are also lower flanks and patch on each side 

 of the rump. 



Note. A trilling chatter. 



Distinguishing Feature. Seen on lakes and rivers. 

 Dives quickly if alarmed, coming up again some yards 

 away, when, if it still thinks there is danger, it again 

 disappears beneath the surface. Never seen on land, 

 legs being placed very far back, which position, though 

 admirably adapted for swimming and diving, makes the 

 bird unfitted for ordinary walking. 



Nest. Among reeds and water-plants. 



Eggs. Chalky-white, but become stained with 

 ^brownish through being covered with wet vegetation 

 * when the bird leaves the nest. 



Haunts. Lakes, ponds, and rivers. 



