CURLEWS 305 



going, flying in formless battalions to the green uplands and 

 grass marshes, the feeding-places they love best, for often in 

 softer feeding-grounds they have to bury their scimitar-like 

 bills to the hilt to catch their prey. And though they are 

 to be seen throughout the summer, they never breed in the 

 Broadland; indeed, they must defer breeding for the first 

 few seasons of their lives. 



THE WHIMBREL, OR " HALF-CALLOO," 



In habits, custom, and appearance much "resembles the cur- 

 lew. He too is to be seen in smaller numbers there- 

 abouts ; he too loves a grass marsh or a grassy upland ; he 

 too flights and whistles as he flies ; he too does not breed. 

 Nor have I seen him in the winter months in this district. 

 He too comes in increased numbers in August, the young 

 birds from the nest having wandered down the coast ; and 

 he too is not much to eat, but merely gives us vague 

 thoughts as he or his larger relative flies high through the 

 closing day, whistling with melancholy voice over the wide, 

 bare marshland. 



