PLOVERS AND SANDPIPERS. 97 



blotched and spotted with olive-brown and pale 

 gray. The Curlew begins to wander coastwards 

 as soon as the young are reared. By far the 

 majority seen first are young birds, and these arrive 

 from the middle of July onwards. 



WHIMBREL. 



This species which is the Numenius phceopus 

 of systematists is best known on the British coasts 

 during its annual migrations, passing our islands so 

 regularly that it has received the name of " May 

 Bird." On the Lincolnshire coast, as well as in 

 many other districts, the Whimbrel is almost uni- 

 versally known as the " Jack-Curlew." During its 

 seasonal movements it visits most parts of the 

 British coast - line, but mud - flats, salt - marshes, 

 estuaries, and extensive reaches of sand, are the 

 most favoured localities. Its habits are very similar 

 to those of the Curlew a bird which it somewhat 

 closely resembles in general appearance, although 

 it is much smaller. It is also a less wary bird, 

 especially upon its arrival; much stalking, however, 

 soon teaches it shyness. Perhaps the Whimbrel 

 is not so often seen on the actual beach as the 

 Curlew ; it seems to prefer to resort to slob-lands, 

 and swampy meadows adjoining the beach. It 

 not only wades, but is said even to swim 

 occasionally, and is fond of bathing, throwing 

 the water over itself as it stands breast-high in 

 the sea. In autumn and winter the Whimbrel is 



