186 scolopacid^e. 



details some little difference. — Oct. 6, 1837. When high water 

 was just about reaching the curlew-bank at Harrison's Bay, six of 

 these birds flew over me within shot, as I was riding down 

 BunkerVhill. When they were out of sight, a single bird, which 

 had doubtless been feeding with them and was left behind, fol- 

 lowed in their wake precisely, though they could not have been 

 seen by it. A few minutes afterwards, the grand flock sallied 

 from their bank, flying, as usual, down the bay. It was beautiful 

 to observe them, at first in picturesque irregularity, then lengthen- 

 ing out to a single string or chain, and so continuing until they 

 disappeared from view. A small party remained behind on the 

 bank, and in silence, until, at the report of a swivel-gun fired at 

 the distance of some miles, they commenced first whaaping gut- 

 turally, and then calling shrilly to each other. The smaller 

 waders, dunlins, &c, though silent before, now sent forth their 

 shrill calls, which were as likely to have been prompted by 

 those of the guardian curlew as caused by their hearing the 

 report.* 



Sometimes, but very rarely, the tide is so low as not to reach 

 the curlew-bank, on which occasions the birds remain congregated 

 on it until the feeding-grounds they had left are once more 

 exposed by the ebb, and then return to them ; but from their 

 being easily alarmed, though without sufficient cause, they are usually 

 frightened away. I have noted on one occasion, that after waiting 

 patiently here for nearly an hour after high water, the report of a 

 swivel-gun at no great distance, though not within several " shots " 

 of their bank, alarmed them, and though their hour had almost 

 come for spreading themselves over the oozy banks, they rose, en 

 masse, high into the air, and took their flight towards the entrance 

 of the bay. Five herons rising from the banks at the same time, 

 followed them in a flock. 



I once observed with interest a departure from the usual pro- 



* When observing large bodies of lapwings and other birds alight beside flocks of 

 curlews, one can hardly but think that it is done to be under their guardianship, 

 knowing, as different species must well do, then - extreme vigilance. The smaller 

 gulls act similarly, by gathering about the spot where their chief, Larus marinus, 

 takes up his position. 



