68 BRITISH BIRDS 
137. Curlew [Numenius arquata arquata (Linneus)). Com- 
mon on our own coasts in winter, rarer summer. Home birds 
breed inland, but scarce on E. side of England. Local. 
Bird. Length 21-26 in. Female larger. Recognised by its 
e large size, the long down-curved beak 
[exces —p (5-6 in.), the light and dark brown 
ey =~ pattern of the upper-parts and tail,the 
white rump excepted, and the mostly 
whitish under-parts streaked brown. 
Nest. On moorland, rough pastures, 
and marshy ground. A scrape in the 
Cit ground, ris usually with dry grasses. 
Fig. 82. Eggs. Usually 4. Pear-shaped. 
Greenish or olive-brown spotted and 
blotched with brown, and underlying ash-grey. Rarely blue- 
green unmarked. Av. size, 2°65x1‘86 in, Laying begins 
April-May. One brood. 
138. Whimbrel [Numenius pheopus pheopus (Linnseus)}. 
Chiefly bird of passage. A few breed in Orkneys and Shet- 
lands, and possibly some of the Western Isles. 
Bird. Length 16-18 in., therefore much smaller than the 
curlew, which it resembles in coloration and in the long down- 
curved beak (3}in.). It differs in having a broad pale band 
down the middle of the dark brown crown. 
Nest. On moor or marsh. Scrape, lined with moss, lichen, 
and other material. 
Eggs. Usually 4. Broad pear-shaped. Greenish to pale or 
deeper brownish boldly blotched with darker brown, and 
underlying ash-grey. Av. size, 2°30x1-6l in. Laying begins 
May-June. One brood. 
V. ORDER: GRUIFORMES 
Family : Rallide—Rails 
139. Corncrake, landrail [Crex crex (Linnseus) ; Crex 
Bechstein]. Summer visitor to our 
remains through winter. 
shaped body, the yellowish-brown 
upper-parts with broad dark streaks ; 
streaked, on the flanks with brown, 
grass-lands, but local. Occasionally — 
Bird. Length 10} in. Recognised — 
by its rasping crake, its wedge- — 
the paler under-parts barred, not — 
and the chestnut wings. Greyish — 
above the eye, on the cheek, throat, and breast. This grey, — 
