414 Scolopacidce. 



ful whistling cry of the Curlew, as it rises from the marsh or 

 mud-bank on the sea-shore; and equally well known is the 

 peculiar long curved beak with which it is provided. As is the 

 case with so many other birds with beaks of unusual length or 

 shape (e.g. the Crossbill, Spoonbill, Avocet, Hoopoe, Shoveller, 

 etc.), the young when hatched have the ordinary short beak of 

 other species, and it is not till they advance towards maturity 

 that their beaks develop, until they attain the shape and 

 dimensions of that of the adult. It is of a shy timid nature, and 

 avoids the proximity of man, and is so wary, vigilant, and 

 withal so quick-sighted, as to be the first to discover and give 

 notice of the presence of an intruder, as every shore-shooter 

 knows to his vexation and cost. And as it seeks out for its 

 retreat the most retired and lonely spots, I conclude that the 

 breaking up and cultivation of our wild downs has been the 

 cause of banishing it from amongst us. 



The English word 'Curlew,' and the French Courtis are 

 supposed to represent the strangely wild note of this bird. In 

 the B.O.U. list we find that Numenius is derived from * the new 

 moon,' veos + fjujwr), and has reference to the crescent-shaped beak. 

 Arquata, too, has much the same signification, meaning ' bent 

 like a bow,' arcus. It was in old time highly esteemed for 

 the table, but my experience of one which I obtained on the 

 Norfolk coast is decidedly the other way. Mr. Cordeaux, who is 

 intimately acquainted with it on the Yorkshire coast, says : ' To 

 modern taste its flesh is bitter and unpalatable ; but it is curious, 

 showing the estimation in which it was held by our forefathers, 

 that the price of the ' Kerlew,' as set forth in the Northumber- 

 land Household Book (begun in 1512) was twelvepence, an 

 extraordinary sum for that day : Pheasants, Bitterns and Herons 

 being valued at the same price, while such modern delicacies 

 as the Woodcock and Teal were fixed at Id. and ljd., and 

 Mallards and Partridges at 2d. each.* I conclude this account of 

 the Curlew with some remarks on it by Sir R. Payne-Gallwey, 

 whose keen observation is only equalled by his graphic descrip- 

 ' Birds of the Humber District,' p. 109. 





