252 GRALLATORES. (EDICNEMUS. THICK-KNEE. 



Food, to consist of small mammalia, reptiles, worms, and insects, 

 of such species as are known to be abroad and in activity 

 under the shades of night. The stomachs of two individuals 

 sent to me from Norfolk in the spring, soon after their ar- 

 rival in this country, were filled with the remains of beetles, 

 chiefly belonging to the genus Carabus. This organ (un- 

 like that of the Little Bustard, Otis Tetrax) was very mus- 

 cular, with its inner coats corrugated ; and in addition to the 

 remains above mentioned, contained several small flint peb- 

 bles, in all probability intentionally swallowed, to assist the 

 folds of the stomach in acting upon the hard shelly covering 

 of its prey. This is a bird of wild and shy disposition, and, 

 like other night-feeding species, usually is at rest during the 

 day, sitting closely squatted behind a stone, clod, or any pro- 

 tecting cover ; and, when disturbed, after flying to a short 

 distance, runs off with great rapidity. With the advance of 

 twilight it issues from its retreat in search of food, and may 

 then be heard frequently uttering its loud and shrill whistle, 

 which is supposed to be the amorous note-call of the male 

 bird. It flies with great strength and swiftness, and during 

 the night (especially in the breeding season) sometimes 

 mounts high in the air. In its flight the legs are stretched 

 out behind (as in the Plovers, and indeed in most of the 

 Grallatores) to preserve the equilibrium of the body. This 

 species has a wide geographical range in the old world, be- 

 ing found in Spain, the southern parts of France, in Ger- 

 many, Italy, Sardinia, and Turkey, and in other southern 

 parts of Europe, suitable to its habits. It is also to be met 

 with in parts of Africa and Asia. The young are said to be 

 good for the table, but the flesh of the old birds is dry, hard, 

 and strong. 



PLATE 40. Represents this bird of the natural size. 

 General Head and upper parts of the body reddish-white, tinged 

 W ^ as h-g rev an d yellowish-brown, each feather having 

 a central streak of umber-brown. Cheeks, throat, belly, 



