COMMON CURLEW 



Nu1nen^^ts arquata 



breeding-grounds of the Curlew are confined principally 

 to the moors and high-ground of Scotland, Ireland, and 

 the north of England, although in autumn and winter 

 it may be found on most of our coasts. It is a resident 

 in this country, coming down to the coast when the 

 breeding season is over. 



The favourite summer haunts of the Curlew are the 



moors, heaths, and swamps throughout our islands. It is very partial to 

 all ground which is overgrown with heather, but nests also in the grassy 

 high-lying pastures. In winter it is very abundant on most low-lying coasts, 

 and in muddy estuaries where there is good feeding huge flocks of these 

 birds may often be seen. It is a very wary bird, and can rarely be approached 

 within gunshot. It flies fairly high, as a rule, and with great rapidity, now 

 beating its wings quickly, now gliding along with wings outstretched and 

 uttering its curious cry, commencing slowly, and gradually quickening till it 

 ends in a sort of trill. 



During summer the food of the Curlew consists chiefly of insects, worms, 

 and larvae. Berries of various kinds are also eaten. In the winter, when 

 on the coast, they feed on small crustaceans, sand-worms, tiny shells, and 

 occasionally on the leaves and shoots of marine plants. The Curlew seems 

 to post sentinels to give the alarm when feeding on the coast, much in the 

 same way as the Wild Geese, and their warning cry alarms the whole flock 

 on the approach of danger, causing them to rise far out of gunshot. On the 

 moors, its feeding-grounds are the small marshy spots near some pool, or 

 beside the little streams which drain the land. 



About the end of March and the beginning of April the Curlews quit the 

 coast, the flocks break up into pairs, and return to their breeding-places on 

 VOL. ii. 2 o 137 



