(edic.vemidj:. 295 



that of the ground it mostly frequents, and will thus succeed in escaping 

 notice; but it is sometimes betrayed by its bright eye. It is found 

 ill large corn-fields, heaths, and warrens, and later in the season in 

 turnip-fields. Its two or three eggs are placed upon the ground, in 

 no nest, on a spot where stones and grey flints are lying about, to which 

 the eggs have a protective resemblance in their tints. We have been very 

 familiar with the Stone-Curlew in the Wiltshire-Down country when 

 Partridge-shooting in September. The bird, there called the " Gurt 

 Curloo," is generally to be found in turnip-fields ; but it is impossible to 

 approach it, as there is always one on the watch as sentinel, which 

 flies up with a shrill whistle on the first sign of danger, and then the 

 others rise singly all over the field, and the flock of a dozen or more make 

 off to some other feeding-ground. 



Like the Plovers, the Stone-Curlew becomes noisy and restless at dusk, 

 and feeds chiefly late in the evening, beetles and moths which then emerge 

 forming a considerable portion of its menu ; and should there be a moon, 

 it will go on seeking for worms, slugs, snails, &c. until dajdight. 



The Stone-Curlew derives its name of " Thick-knee " from the swollen 

 appearance of the upper end of the tarsus in the young birds. 



Montagu mentions a female specimen killed neai- the Start Point at the beginning of 

 February 1807, and states that a mule had been shot near the same place a fortnight 

 previously (Orn. Diet., JjuppL). Dr. iloore records one shot near Plymouth in the 

 winter of 1826, and mentions two others in collections there (Trans. Plym. Inst. 1830). 

 One, a female, was killed by Mr. F. Scoble Willesford on Dartmoor, October oth, 1831 

 (T. J., Bray's ' Tamar and Tavy,' i. p. 352). Another was supposed to have been 

 killed at Widdecombe-in-the-iloor a few days before (id., I. c). One at Plymouth, 

 November 24th, 18.')5 ; one adult, Tsovember lOth, 1877; Bolitho had one shot on 

 St. John's Lake by Mr. Wdls of Tor Point (J. G., Zool. 1856, p. 4946 ; 1878, p. 54 ; 

 and ilS. Notes). 



Stone-Curlews are occasionally obtained near Kingsbridge (E. M., Mag. Nat. Hist. 

 1837). Mr. Henry Nicholls has received many from that neighbourhood. One at 

 Prawle Point, February 5th, 1864, shot at the same time as a specimen of the Little 

 Bustard by Lieut. Pearce. One killed in Stokenhum parish early in May 1889 

 (R. P. N. and E. A. S. E., MS. Notes). One from Kingsbridge is in the A. M. M. (E. C). 

 Two from Paignton are in the Torquay Museiuu. 



One was killed at Topsham before 18.38 (F. W. L. R., MS. .Tourn. i. p. 145). One 

 near Exeter, January 1866. One on Dawlish Warren, March 22nd, 1867 (C. S.,Zool. 

 1867, p. 7f>0). One at Powderham, on the Exe, November 186)8. A male shot by 

 Mr. R. Cockeram at Budleigh Salterton in 1836 is in the A. M. M. (P. W. L. R.). 



One was shot on Braunton Burrows in January 1858 by Mr. G. Mathias of Ilfra- 

 combe (M. A. M., Zool. 1858, p. 6264). 



Turton and Kingston speak of its breeding " in the neighbourhood of the moor" 

 [Dartmoor], laying its eggs on the bare ground. Others have reported it as breeding 

 there, but probably confusion bua been made between this bird and the Coiumou 

 Curlew. 



