684 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



scapulars blackish brown, the feathers broadly edged with rufous 

 brown; lower back white, with dusky spots ; tail yellowish white, 

 with transverse brown bars ; abdomen white with dusky spots. 



Bill dusky brown above, fleshy below ; hides dark brown ; legs 

 and feet pale bluish grey. Length varies according to sex from 

 21 to 26 inches; extent 34 to 38 ; wing 11 tql2£; tail 4£ ; bill 

 at front 4 to 6i inches ; tarsus 3£. 



The Curlew is found throughout India, most abundantly per- 

 haps near the sea coast, but also far inland, frequenting marshes, 

 lakes, and rivers. It is generally seen in small flocks, often alone, 

 but at the times of its arrival or departure sometimes in great 

 numbers. It arrives in September and leaves in March or April. 

 It is a very wary bird, and has a fine wild whistle. It is excel- 

 lent eating. It breeds in Northern Europe and Asia (spreading in 

 winter into Africa and Southern Asia,) laying four eggs of the 

 usual blotched green colour. The Curlew is stated to perch on 

 trees occasionally in Northern Europe. 



An allied, but larger species, is separated by Schlegel as N. 

 major ; Swinhoe obtained this large race in China, so it may be 

 looked for here. Certainly specimens vary greatly in size and 

 in length of bill. 



The next species has been most unnecessarily separated as 

 Phceopus, Cuv. 



878. Numenius phseopus, Linnaeus. 



Blyth, Cat. 1591— Jerdon, Cat. 358— Gould, Birds of 

 Europe, pi. — Chota Goungh, H. 



The Whimbrel. 



Bescr. — Forehead and crown cinereous brown, the latter divi- 

 ded by a longitudinal pale streak ; over each eye a broad streak 

 of white mixed with brown ; sides of the head, neck, and breast 

 pale ashy with brown streaks ; upper back, scapulars, and wing- 

 coverts deep brown, the feathers with pale edgings ; lower back 

 white ; rump white, barred with ashy brown ; tail cinereous brown 

 with dark oblique bars ; abdomen and under tail-coverts white, 

 the flanks barred with brown. 



