CURLEW. 187 



fancies them Brentgeese. But as they seldom appear 

 so very late as not to be distinguished, he may perceive 

 the difference by the extra length and sharpness of the 

 head and tail; and their occasionally ceasing to flap 

 their wings as they fly. These birds may be easily 

 killed in the breeding-season, if a shooter chooses to 

 run the hazard of concealing himself about the middle 

 of the cliffs. This many people do by being let down, 

 for which some use a kind of saddle, and others a strong 

 basket, or finding places where they can climb up for 

 some distance. But as such dangerous schemes are by 

 no means to be recommended, I should prefer the use 

 of a rifle, or content myself with the few chance shots, 

 that could be fired from a place of safety. 



There are three sorts of Cormorants. The COMMON GREAT BLACK 

 one, alias Corvorant, or Colegoose (pelicanus corbo le cormoran} : 

 the Green, Shag, Scarfe, or Skart (pelicanus graculus le petit 

 cormoran^ or le nigaud) : the third is the CRESTED CORVORANT, 

 but for this we have neither the names of Linnaeus nor Buffon, as it 

 was not ascertained to be a distinct species till a dissection of one 

 took place, subsequent to the works of these great authors. 



CURLEW. Scolopax arquata Le courlis. 



To get at a flock of curlews on the sea-shore, go in 

 a small punt or canoe, when it happens to be high water 

 just after dusk, or before daybreak in a white frost. 

 They will then be assembled by hundreds on the small 

 headlands of the beach 9 where they are at first so 

 cautious in alighting, that the various plans of burying 

 casks, &c., to wait in, do not always answer. In ap- 

 proaching these birds, be careful to keep close along- 

 side, and under the shade of, the land. 



In autumn, the curlews from all parts round the 



