BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 317 



Wbimbrel 



THE Whimbrel ( Numenius pJucopus, Linnaeus) is a summer 

 visitor to the British Islands, and inhabits Northern 

 Europe. The adult whimbrel in colouration of plumage 

 is similar to that of the curlew ; but is much smaller 

 than the latter species, and the crown is dark brown 

 with a band of pale buffish-white down the centre ; 

 eye-stripe, lightish ; irides, hazel ; bill, dark brown ; base, 

 beneath, paler; legs and feet, slate-grey. Length, about 

 seventeen inches. The female, beyond being larger in 

 size, closely resembles the male. The young in first 

 plumage have the upper parts marked with buff; streaks 

 on rump, dark brown. 



