THE CURLEW 223 



danger threatens, and I do not find it ever display those 

 peculiar alluring motions which are so common among the 

 smaller waders. Young Curlews, as is the case with all the 

 birds of this order, are able to run about almost directly after 

 they are hatched. Engaging little creatures they are, and 

 most grotesque in appearance. They are clothed in down of 

 yellowish-brown, mottled and spotted on the upper parts with 

 darker brown, and their beak is short and straight. Like 

 young Lapwings, at the approach of danger they crouch close 

 to the earth, where the harmony of their colour with that of 

 surrounding vegetation effectually conceals them. At this 

 time the parent birds become much more venturesome, and 

 lose much of their habitual wariness. They often fly round 

 and round your head calling wildly, or run along the ground 

 with wings half spread, or stand quite motionless on a little 

 hillock carefully watching your every movement. 



So soon as the autumnal tints creep over the moorlands, 

 when the heather flowers are beginning to fade, and the Eing 

 Ouzels take their departure for a southern haunt, the Curlews 

 gather into little parties and repair to the coasts. Now the 

 Curlew becomes a gregarious species indeed, and not only 

 keeps company with its own kind, but mixes with the vast 

 hordes of wild-fowl which haunt the coast during autumn 

 and winter. The Curlew at this season is more shy and 

 wild than ever. He is indeed the sentinel of the coast, ever 

 on the alert, his loud curlee-curlee, as he launches into the air 

 giving the alarm to the other wild-fowl feeding near, and 

 putting every bird within hearing on the look-out. As soon 

 as the receding waters leave the mud-banks exposed, the 

 Curlews repair to them to feed. At high water they usually 

 visit the meadows and open lands near the ocean, preferring, 

 if a choice is obtainable, the marshy grounds. On the coast 

 they usually feed near the tide, following each receding wave, 

 and occasionally wading some distance into the water. If 



