THE CURLEW. 347 



plunge their bills into the ground, to a small portion of which 

 they communicate a vibratory movement ; the worms, disturbed in 

 their subterranean dwellings, come up to the surface, and are 

 immediately swallowed. 



The gait of the Curlews, generally speaking, is grave and 

 measured ; but if any one disturbs them previous to taking wing, 

 they begin running with astonishing rapidity. They are capable 



Fig. 134. Curlew (Numenius arguatus, Gould). 



of a prolonged flight, but do not generally venture far into the 

 interior of the country ; it is on the coast they are always most 

 abundant. They live together in numerous flocks, except during 

 their breeding-time, when they isolate themselves in order to 

 build their nests in some dry place among the grass. The female 

 lays four or five eggs. The young ones run about to seek their 

 food as soon as they leave the shell, and receive no attentions 

 from their parents. 



The Curlew is of a wild and timid nature. Nevertheless, in 

 Senegal, they have been domesticated ; to no great advantage, it 

 is true, as their flesh always retains a very marshy flavour. 



Curlews abound all over the globe. They are very common in 

 France, where they arrive in the month of April, leaving again 



