WHIMBBBL 367 



summer ; l towards the end of July these are joined by 

 migrants journeying from more northern latitudes. During 

 August, the birds continue to increase in numbers, and by 

 September they are plentiful on many parts of the British 

 coast. The autumnal passage is of brief duration, indeed 

 in October the numbers have considerably diminished. A 

 month later the great majority have travelled southward, 

 and between December and May this species rarely occurs 

 on the British coast. 



In its general habits it rather resembles the Curlew. 

 It is, however, less suspicious of danger, and may be seen 

 feeding leisurely on the strand after flocks of Curlews, 

 sounding the signal of alarm, have taken flight. Hence the 

 popular notion that this more innocent species is the young 

 of the Curlew. 



In spring, Whimbrels usually keep to themselves when 

 feeding, and are then fairly tame. Soon after their arrival 

 in May, large flocks can, as a rule, be closely approached 

 on the open strand. Their dull brownish-grey plumage 

 harmonises so closely with the dark ooze and broken rocks 

 that many of them may be overlooked. 



In autumn they are usually gregarious, consorting on 

 the shores with Bed shanks, Godwits, Curlews, and many 

 of the smaller wading- birds. 2 



I have observed this species flying high in the air over 

 grouse-moors and inland marshes, apparently migrating. 

 In accordance with this observation, Mr. Ussher has noted 

 that the Whimbrel migrates along the great Irish lakes in 

 spring, distributing itself widely over the midland bogs. Even 

 during its short stay on our shores in spring and autumn, this 

 bird is not safe from the attacks of the Peregrine Falcon, 

 especially if the eyrie of the latter is not far off and contains 



1 During successive seasons I have noticed small numbers of Whim- 

 brels throughout June and July on the slob-lands of Dublin Ba3\ From 

 the middle of July they rapidly increase in numbers, and in this locality 

 they are fairly plentiful until the first week in October. 



In the Outer Hebrides a solitary bird remained from the summer of 

 1889 continuously through the seasons to 1893 (Dr. M'Kury, Ann. Scot. 

 Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 116). As suggested by Mr. Harvie-Brown, it may 

 have been slightly wounded. 



-' At low water I have seen Whimbrels resting on seaweed-covered 

 rocks with Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers, Kedshanks, Curlews, and 

 Oyster-catchers, the group being occasionally accompanied by a Cor- 

 morant or Heron. 



