578 SCOLOPACID^E. 



the toes in front united by a membrane as far as the first articulation ; the hind 

 toe articulated upon the tarsus and touching the ground. Wings moderate, the 

 first quill-feather the longest in the wing. 



THE Curlew is so common a bird as to be well known on 

 almost every part of our coast, where it obtains a living 

 from the middle of autumn, through the winter, till the 

 pairing season of the following spring. It frequents the 

 sea-shore and its extensive sandy flats during the ebb tide, 

 seeking for small Crustacea, marine insects, worms, &c., 

 with which to satisfy its hunger, retiring to open fields in 

 the vicinity when the rising tide covers the feeding ground. 

 Sir William Jardine has described from personal observa- 

 tion the habits of these birds on the Solway. " They re- 

 tired regularly inland after their favourite feeding places 

 were covered. A long and narrow ledge of rocks runs into 

 the Frith, behind which we used to lie concealed, for the 

 purpose of getting shots at various sea-fowl returning at 

 ebb. None were so regular as the Curlew. The more 

 aquatic were near the sea, and could perceive the gradual 

 reflux ; the Curlews were far inland, but as soon as we 

 could perceive the top of a sharp rock standing above water, 

 we were sure to perceive the first flocks leave the land, thus 

 keeping pace regularly with the change of the tides. They 

 fly in a direct line to their feeding grounds, and often in a 

 wedge shape ; on alarm, a simultaneous cry is uttered, and 

 the next coming flock turns from its course, uttering in re- 

 petition the same alarm note. In a few days they become 

 so wary, as not to fly over the concealed station. They are 

 one of the most difficult birds to approach, except during 

 spring, but may be enticed by imitating their whistle.*" 

 One cry peculiar to the Curlew sounds like corlieu or 

 courlie ; whence its English and French name. 



Early in April the Curlews begin to retire from the coast 



