NYHIMBREL. 617 



counties obtained the names of Half-Curlew and Jack- 

 Curlew in reference to its diminished comparative propor- 

 tions. Though to be seen occasionally on many parts of 

 our shores in winter, it is generally most plentiful in May, 

 and again in autumn, when these birds are on their way 

 to and from the northern localities, where they resort during 

 the breeding season, and in which they produce their young. 



The eggs of the Whimbrel are rare in collections, and 

 I have never heard of any being obtained in the southern 

 counties. Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, sent me word that 

 these birds are only seen in Ireland in spring and autumn. 

 They are seen also at the same periods on the Grampians 

 and other high grounds of Scotland. Mr. Selby mentions 

 that the Whimbrel was seen in the summer of 1834, upon 

 the margin of Loch Shin in Sutherlandshire, but no eggs 

 or young were obtained. Mr. Salmon, who visited the Isle 

 of Hoy, in Orkney, says the Whimbrel breeds there, but 

 goes to nest early, as the eggs were all hatched by the 3rd 

 of June. Dr. Fleming says this bird breeds in Shetland, 

 where it is called Tang-Whaap ; the nest is placed on ex- 

 posed parts of the heath. Mr. Hewitson names two of the 

 Shetland Isles, Yell and Has-cosea, where they breed, but 

 the birds are in small and rapidly-decreasing numbers, 

 their eggs being there considered a delicacy. Mr. Dunn, 

 who has more than once visited both Orkney and Shetland, 

 says, the Curlew and the Whimbrel do not associate to- 

 gether, although he has found their nests within a gun-shot 

 of each other. The latter birds leave these islands imme- 

 diately after the breeding season is over. 



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

 blotched with darker brown ; they are pear-shaped, and 

 very much like those of the Curlew, but smaller, measuring 

 two inches five lines in length, by one inch eight lines in 

 breadth. The birds feed on insects and worms, and their 



