THE CURLEW. 99 



Orkney, Shetland, and probably most of the Scottish isles, 

 for the purpose of nesting and rearing their young. 



The Curlew does not bestow very much care or trouble 

 in the construction of its nest, contenting itself with a few 

 dried leaves or grass hastily laid together, and generally 

 placing it amongst long grass or rushes. Open spaces, 

 where heath is found, or marshy districts are its favourite 

 localities. 



Four eggs are usually laid ; they are two-and-a-half 

 inches in length, of an olive-green colour, blotched and 

 spotted with dark green and brown. A peculiarity in 

 connection with the eggs may be mentioned, viz., that 

 they are shaped very much like a pear, and are always 

 arranged in the nest with the small ends pointing to each 

 other. 



The young birds do not appear to be able to fly for 

 some long- time after they are hatched, although they use 

 their legs almost at once ; but on the approach of danger 

 they immediately squat and remain motionless until the 

 danger has passed. 



The Curlew swims easily, but seldom takes to the 

 water unless under compulsion or when wounded. 



The plumage is very similar in both sexes, but in point 

 of size the female has the advantage, the disparity in some 

 cases being very noticeable. 



The head of the Curlew is dark brown, lighter towards 

 the base of the bill, which is brown, and measures seven- 

 and-a-half inches from its extremity to the eye ; the legs 

 and toes are pale bluish-grey, vent and lower tail-coverts 

 white ; breast nearly white, and spotted with dark brown ; 

 upper part of breast pale brown, with streaks of darker 

 brown ; chin white ; the irides are dark brown ; head and 



