PLOVERS AND SANDPIPERS. 95 



seeks in winter. It is a resident in the British 

 Islands, but its numbers are very considerably 

 increased in autumn, by migrants from more 

 northern latitudes. It may be found, as previously 

 inferred, on almost all parts of the shore, but 

 such beaches where wide expanses of sand, 

 mud, and broken rocks occur, are specially 

 preferred as are also salt - marshes and wet 

 meadows close to the sea. Of all wild fowl 

 the Curlew is one of the wariest, never allowing 

 a close approach unless stalked with the greatest 

 care, or surprised in some unusual way, which 

 does not often happen. In some districts where 

 little beach is exposed during high-water, the 

 Curlews will retire some distance inland, but 

 return with remarkable punctuality as soon as 

 the tide begins to ebb. Shingle banks and 

 islands are also often visited between tides. 

 Curlews when feeding are very restless birds, 

 running and walking about the beach, seemingly 

 in a very careless and unsuspecting manner, 

 but sentinels are ever on the watch to sound the 

 warning note, which sends the big long-billed 

 speckled birds hurrying away to safer haunts. 

 The Curlew feeds both by day and by night ; 

 and its wild somewhat mournful note, shrill 

 and far-sounding, curlee, cur-lee, may repeatedly 

 be heard during darkness. The flight of this 

 bird is both rapid and well sustained. Gatke, 

 on evidence which seems absolutely conclusive, 



