4 SLENDER-BILLED OUBLEW. 



and four fifths; bill three inches and seven tenths. In this specimen 

 the cordate spots on the breast are fewer, and there is a white streak 

 passing backwards along the vertex. In other respects it resembles 

 No. 1. 



To shew the uncertainty of the white under wing coverts as a 

 specific distinction I may state that I saw, in January, 1862, in a 

 fishmonger's shop in Colchester, a specimen of the Common Curlew, 

 iV. arquata, having the under wing coverts pure white, and with 

 cordate and lanceolate markings on the breast, exactly like the 

 specimens just described of N. tenuirostris. It measured twenty-one 

 inches and a half long; wing from carpus twelve inches; bill four 

 inches and three quarters. 



A third specimen sent me by Mr. "Wright is about the same 

 length as No. 1 and 2, namely, seventeen inches, but the other 

 measurements difier remarkably. Wing from carpus only nine inches; 

 the bill is only three inches long, and quite slender, being one inch 

 and a quarter in circumference at its base. It does not materially 

 difier in plumage from the others, and there is an indistinct white 

 line extending backwards across the vertex, as in No. 2. 



Notwithstanding these differences in individuals, I may direct 

 attention to the fact, as pointed out to me by Mr. Harting, that 

 all the old-world species of Numenius may be divided into two 

 groups; those which have the head barred as in pliceopus, and those 

 which have the head plain, as in arquata* Numenius tenuirostris 

 belongs to the latter group, and this peculiarity, taken in connection 

 with its small size, slender form and bill, and pure white axillaries 

 should distinguish it at all seasons, and at all ages. 



Of the habits of this interesting bird, M. Dubois (op, cit.) 

 remarks: — "They live sometimes in the neighbourhood of running 

 water, at others in that of stagnant water, but they rarely frequent 

 the shores of the sea. It is worthy of notice that the fiocks daily 

 leave the water to spread themselves out among meadows and 

 uncultivated fields, where they remain until they are obliged to 

 return to the water, without which they could not live, as they drink 

 a great deal, and frequently bathe. They are very shy. Their flesh 

 is esteemed in Italy as a delicacy." 



Salvadori, in his "Fauna d'ltalia," says of this species: — "This 

 bird is generally compared with N. pJicBopus, whilst it more nearly 



* Mr. Harting adds that the new-world species of Numenius may be always 

 distinguished from those of the old-world by the rufous colour of the 

 axillaries, and by the prevailing buff or ruddy tinge which pervades the whole 

 of the plumage. 



