154 THE BIRDS OF OUR RAMBLES. 



arguatus). Here, as everywhere, the Curlew is 

 the essence of wariness, and the moment we step 

 upon their lonely haunt the watchful birds rise 

 one by one, and soon the entire moor is in 

 commotion and the air resounds with their 

 characteristic notes curlee, curl-ee, curr-lee, now 

 near and distinct, anon faint and low, as the long- 

 billed birds fly backwards and forwards above the 

 swampy ground. Their slight nests are here 

 amongst the rank vegetation of the wilderness. 

 By the middle or end of April these contain eggs. 

 These nests are usually under the shelter of a tuft 

 of herbage, and the number of eggs is four. They 

 are pear-shaped, olive-green in colour, spotted and 

 blotched with greenish brown and gray, and oc- 

 casionally streaked with darker brown tints that 

 help to conceal them from view by harmonising 

 with the ground on which they rest. After the 

 young are safely reared the Curlews begin to flock 

 and soon seek the coasts. Worms, insects, and 

 various mountain fruits are the Curlew's food in 

 summer ; but in winter, when the bird lives upon 

 the mud- flats and low-lying shores, sand- worms, 

 crustaceans, and even grass are eaten. The long 

 bill, brown mottled upper parts, white rump, and 

 nearly white underparts serve to distinguish the 

 Curlew. The mottled and barred brown and 

 white wings and tail are very noteworthy during 

 flight. 



widely Our second species is the COMMON SNIPE 



(Scolopax gallinago]. Almost every one is familiar 

 with this long-billed bird, dressed in brown and 

 white garb, striped on the back with yellow ; 

 yet there are comparatively few who have made 

 its acquaintance on the moors and seen its nest. 



