Lxiy. 



NUMENTUS PH.EOPUS. (lath.) 

 Whimbrel. 



The Whimbrel, like the closely-allied species, the CUrlevv, 

 breeds in those uncultivated districts which are far removed 

 from human habitation, on open moors and wastes, choosing 

 those which are marshy, and composed of moss and peaty 

 soil, which is in those districts substituted for coal. It is, 

 however, during the summer season of much greater rarity 

 than the Curlew. I am not aware of any breeding place in 

 this country, besides the Shetland islands, upon two of which 

 (Yell and Hascosea) only, they are to be met with, in very 

 small and rapidly decreasing numbers, their eggs being there 

 considered a delicacy. 



The nest of the Whimbrel is nothing more than a slight 

 depression in the surface of the ground. The few instances 

 from which I have had an opportunity of ascertaining the 

 fact, do not allow me to state positively its nvmiber of eggs ; 

 in none of those instances did the nests contain more than 

 three, notwithstanding which, I think I may without hesita- 

 tion assert, that four will prove to be their constant number 

 when complete, judging from the undeviating practice of every 

 species of this family of birds, about the eggs of which we 

 know anything. The note of the Whimbrel, when disturbed 

 by your approaching its nest, is like that of the Curlew, in 

 lojid, clear, and closely repeated ejaculations. 



