WHIiMBREL 



Numenius pkczopus 



N Great Britain the Whimbrel is only known to breed in 

 the Shetland group. During the seasons of migration, 

 however, it is met with on all the British coasts. 



The Whimbrel resembles a miniature Curlew, and in 

 many of its habits it closely resembles its larger relative- 

 It arrives on our shores about the first day of May, per- 

 forming its migration at night. On migration they chiefly 



frequent low-lying coasts, and obtain their food on the mud-flats or salt 

 marshes, and are often seen in the green fields near the coast. They are not 

 nearly so shy and wary as the Curlew, and walk about on the flats with a 

 slow sedate step, seldom running; when alarmed, they stand with their long 

 necks stretched out looking around, before they hurriedly take to flight. On 

 migration they fly at an immense height, and are only to be recognised by 

 their peculiar cry. On the coast they seem to be very fond of washing 

 themselves, and may often be seen splashing about in some little pool left by 

 the tide. 



The call-notes of the Whimbrel, once heard, can scarcely be forgotten ; 

 seven clear whistles are rapidly repeated one after the other, gradually 

 dropping chromatically, ' ko-kd-kd-ko-ko-ko-ko' ; when at their nests the alarm- 

 notes are ' krrr-looo ' or ' krrr-leeej somewhat like that of the Common 

 Curlew, but in a somewhat higher key. 



Its food consists of insects, worms, small land shells, and occasionally 

 small berries ; when feeding on the coast during migration, sand-worms, 

 small crustaceans, and various marine animals form its chief means of 

 support. 



The favourite breeding-haunts of the Whimbrel are the moors which 

 lie close to the sea. They generally arrive in Shetland early in May, and 



