The Bird Book 



intermediary between the Bustards and Plovers, 

 having several points in common with each. It 

 is chiefly a summer visitor to this country, breed- 

 ing in several of the southern counties east of 

 Dorset, most frequently, however, in Norfolk, 

 Suffolk, and on the shingly coast of Kent and 

 Sussex, but some pairs pass the winter in the 

 south of Devonshire and Cornwall. 



Owing to its extreme shyness it is a difficult 

 bird to observe, even for those who are acquainted 

 with its habits, while the colouring of both bird 

 and eggs renders them exceedingly likely to escape 

 the notice of anyone not specially on the look-out 

 for them. The upper surface is light brown, 

 streaked with black, the markings on the head 

 and neck being narrower than those on the back. 

 A light-coloured streak runs from the beak under 

 the eye, which is very large, with a golden-yellow 

 iris. Chin and throat are white, the front of the 

 neck and breast very light brown streaked with 

 blackish -brown, the lower parts white, also 

 streaked with brown. 



The Stone Curlew has exceptional powers of 

 running, but when hard pressed will lie down 

 with its neck extended along the ground, evidently 

 trusting to the concealment afforded by the re- 

 semblance of its plumage to its surroundings. 

 It is in the evening that these birds become 

 most active, and their loud shrill cries uttered as 

 they fly around have gained them the name of 



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