170 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



would be perceived by a bird in flight at a con- 

 siderable distance), they had unfortunately alighted, 

 and, as it would seem, had barely time to snatch a 

 hasty meal before they met a cruel and unexpected 

 death. 



Family SCOLOPACIDJE. 



CURLEW, Numenius arquata. Although not a 

 regular visitant like some of the Sandpipers and 

 Plovers, the Curlew is occasionally observed during 

 the periods of migration in spring and autumn. It 

 is generally heard before it is seen, and has a loud 

 note, which may be rendered thus : 



Besides this note, which sounds like "cour-lieu," 

 it has another harsher call, " wha-up ; " * and in the 

 spring I have heard a note like " whee-ou, whee-ou," 



Curlews differ much in size, and I have often 

 been surprised at the great variation which exists 

 in the length of the bill in different individuals. A 

 friend has suggested that this difference is one of 

 sex ; and I have made a note of his suggestion, in 

 order to test it by the dissection of any specimens 



* In some parts of the country the Curlew is known by 

 the name of " Whaup." 



