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THE COMMON CURLEW. 

 (Numenius a\rquata.) 



THIS bird takes up its residence with us in Hungary as 

 a vistor only on its way during the long migratory 

 journey, which extends from the northernmost parts of 

 our hemisphere to the Nile. 



Its habits are most varied, for it stays sometimes on 

 the flat sea shore, sometimes on the border of the desert, 

 sometimes on a rocky river-bank ; with us it settles on 

 pasture land, fallow fields, marshy flats, and lowlands. 

 It destroys everywhere immense numbers of grass- 

 hoppers and beetles. Crickets are the food it likes best, 

 but it also eats snails, and sometimes even frogs. It is, 

 therefore, of great service to the farmer, more especially 

 as it frequents and cleanses the fields in large numbers. 

 It does not require much protection for it is an extremely 

 shy bird, and he must be a clever marksman who can 

 bring it down with a shot. But the sportsmen of the 

 lowlands are even more cunning than the Curlew. At 

 certain places they lure the birds with a decoy a bird 

 dried in the oven which is placed on the lake edge and 

 a pair of Curlews are almost certain to fall victims to the 

 ruse. 



Its call-note is audible at a considerable distance, 

 floating pleasantly, something like a modulated human 

 whistle: " Klowitf" or " Taue taue," and " Tlouid 

 tlouidf Shepherds believe that when this cry is heard 

 it foretells wind. 



The Common Curlew is to be found in Great Britain, 

 wherever there are sand and mud-flats, and rocks covered 



