I 88 BRITISH BIRDS. 



with dusky bars. In winter greyish-brown above, darker 

 on rump ; upper throat and belly whitish ; lower throat, 

 breast and sides brownish-grey ; tail and wings as in spring. 

 Length : male 13*00, wing 8*75 ; female iyf$ 9 wing Q'oo. 



Now merely a regular migrational visitor, but much 

 less common than L. lapponica. 



GENUS CLXXXIII. NUMENIUS, Brisson (/760). 

 Bill somewhat as in Limosa, but much decurved. 

 Feet as in Limosa. 



320. Numenius arquatus (Linn.). CURLEW. 



Hab. North Europe. In winter reaching Africa. 



Adult : feathers above brownish-buff, with narrow dusky 

 centres ; primaries blackish ; rump and upper tail-coverts 

 pure white, somewhat streaked on former and barred on 

 latter with dusky -brown ; tail buffish-white barred with 

 dusky-brown ; lower throat, breast and sides like upper 

 parts ; upper throat, belly, and under tail-coverts white, 

 with a few streaks on latter ; bill very pale brown, dusky 

 at tip ; tarsi dusky-grey. In winter paler above and 

 below ; rump almost unstreaked ; under parts white, 

 with fewer markings. Length: male I7'5o, wing iroo; 

 female 19*50, wing 12*00. 



Breeds on moors and waste lands throughout the 

 British Isles excepting the south-east of England. It is 

 particularly common on our coasts in winter. Eggs : 4 ; 

 varying from olive-green to olive-brown, blotched and 

 spotted with dark brown ; 2*80 by 1*95. 



321. Numenius phseopus (Linn.). WHIMBREL. 

 Hab. Northern Europe. 



Adult : a miniature Curlew in appearance, but differs 

 in having top of head dark brown on each side with a 



