CURLEW SANDPIPER. 31 



Kent, near Deal, on the 16th. of August, 1850. One was 

 shot by the late F. F. Foljambe, Esq., October 1st., 1812. 



In Scotland, Sir William Jardine, Bart, has found them 

 in Dumfriesshire and on both sides of the Solway, and on 

 the shores of the coast, and the lochs in other parts. 



In Ireland, the late William Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, 

 has described them as not uncommon. 



They frequent the low, flat, and sandy parts of the coast, 

 and at times resort to the open sides of inland seas, lakes, 

 and ponds. 



They migrate by night, and arrive about the end of July. 



These birds go in troops, sometimes of considerable numbers. 

 They feed during part of the day, and when the tide comes 

 up too high, retire for a time, but only to return again as 

 soon as the waters have receded. They are by no means shy, 

 and if disturbed, soon fly back to their feeding place. It is 

 said that if suddenly surprised singly, they will lie close to 

 the ground, but if a flock be together they take better care 

 of themselves. They sometimes mix with other birds. 



'The flight of the Curlew Tringa is quick, and performed 

 by rapid motions of the sharp-pointed wings, while flying at 

 a high elevation; but skimming when passing low over the 

 water or flats.' They run very fast along the sands of the 

 ocean side. How far better is it to spend a leisure hour in 

 watching the actions of the sea birds in their natural haunts, 

 and so gain health, happiness, and reverence, than to waste 

 time in revelry or mere worldly pleasure, to the lowering of the 

 tone both of the body and the mind. 'The end of that mirth 

 is heaviness,' says the wise man; but the medicine that the 

 open air supplies, surely "tis the best of any.' In the timely 

 use of it, you may look, with GOD'S blessing, for the 'mens 

 sans in corpore sano.' 



These birds feed on shrimps and sandhoppers, small Crustacea, 

 insects, and worms, for which they bore in the soft sand. In 

 confinement they are said never to swallow their food without 

 first dipping it in water. 



The call-note is a shrill pipe, and is uttered at times on 

 the wing. 



The eggs are described as yellowish spotted with brown. 



Male; weight, two ounces; length, seven inches and a half 

 to eight and a quarter or even nine; the bill, which is curved 

 downwards, is nearly black, in winter brownish black; the space 

 between it and the eyes is dusky; over it runs a band of 



