252 GRALLATORES. QGEDICNEMUS.  Tuick-KNEE. 
Food. to consist of small mammalia, reptiles, worms, and insects, 
of such species as are known to be abroad and in activity 
under the shades of night. The stomachs of two individuals 
sent to me from Norfolk in the spring, soon after their ar- 
rival in this country, were filled with the remains of beetles, 
chiefly belonging to the genus Carabus. This organ (un- 
like that of the Little Bustard, Otis T'etrax) was very mus- 
cular, with its inner coats corruyated ; and in addition to the 
remains above mentioned, contained several small flint peb- 
bles, in all probability intentionally swallowed, to assist the 
folds of the stomach in acting upon the hard shelly covering 
of its prey. This is a bird of wild and shy disposition, and, 
like other night-feeding species, usually is at rest during the 
day, sitting closely squatted behind a stone, clod, or any pro- 
tecting cover; and, when disturbed, after flying to a short 
distance, runs off with great rapidity. With the advance of 
twilight it issues from its retreat in search of food, and may 
then be heard frequently uttering its loud and shrill whistle, 
which is supposed to be the amorous note-call of the male 
bird. It flies with great strength and swiftness, and during 
the night (especially in the breeding season) sometimes 
mounts high in the air. In its flight the legs are stretched 
out behind (as in the Plovers, and indeed in most of the 
Grallatores) to preserve the equilibrium of the body. This 
species has a wide geographical range in the old world, be- 
ing found in Spain, the southern parts of France, in Ger- 
many, Italy, Sardinia, and Turkey, and in other southern 
parts of Europe, suitable to its habits. It is also to be met 
with in parts of Africa and Asia. The young are said to be 
good for the table, but the flesh of the old birds is dry, hard, 
and strong. 
PiateE 40. Represents this bird of the natural size. 
General Head and upper parts of the body reddish-white, tinged 
— with ash-grey and yellowish-brown, each feather having 
a central streak of umber-brown. Cheeks, throat, belly, 
