CURLEWS, WHIMBRELS. 97 



wary, and but for the cover of clumps of trees, bamboos or 

 the more solid shelter of a grave mound the sportsman would 

 have difficulty in getting within range. Late August and 

 September nights are often vocal with their cries as they 

 move back on the return journey. A man who can imitate 

 their call may frequently lure them near enough to get a 

 shot. In weight they are about the same as the woodcock, 

 from twelve to fourteen ounces or thereabouts. Seebohm 

 mentions meeting the whimbrel in his Siberian wanderings, 

 but he says nothing of the curlew. 



Another long-legged wading bird which may be found 

 in our cooler seasons is the stilt, whose name suggests its 

 height. Its long thin shanks may reach to ten inches, 

 perhaps a foot, yet its body is but the size of a lapwing's. 

 In full plumage it is a bird of startlingly strong contrasts, 

 for whilst the breast and underparts are the purest white, 

 the back and wings are of the darkest green, so dark as to 

 be practically black. Indeed Himantopus Candidas, or 

 H. melanopterous, is known in England by the name " Black 

 winged stilt." When alarmed, it is the picture of alertness, 

 standing as it does at the full height of its long legs and 

 extended neck, its keen outlook all round taking in every 

 chance of a surprise, its bright eyes, with their scarlet irises, 

 watching without cessation the distant cause of alarm. 



In another branch of the same family as the stilts there 

 is another curious summer visitant, the jacana, or water 

 pheasant. There is a pair in the Shanghai Museum, and 

 the remarks previously made* respecting the art of stuffing 

 may be taken in connexion with this pair. If the visitor 

 remembers that the jacana is described by David as "un 

 magnifique oiseau," he will see exactly the point of mj)- 

 remarks. Technically our jacana is known as //y^TO^Aa■s^£TO«s 

 Sinensis, or H. Chirurgus. Chocolate browns, whites, and 

 orangeare the colours which outwardly make the jacana what 

 he is, but his chief peculiarity will be found in his feet, the 

 toes of which are abnormally long and fine, and as though 

 that were not enough they are terminated by claws which 

 in themselves are equal in length to the whole toe in some 

 birds. The object of this immense spread of support below 

 is seen in an instant when the bird is found in its natural 

 haunts. Curiously enough the only occasions when I have 

 been able personally to examine it have been at wide intervals 

 but always on the same spot, the lake-like "harbour" at 

 Bing-wu, where the meeting creeks widen out and a good 

 deal of space is covered during the hot weather with floating 

 growth. It is on this that the water-pheasant is at home. It 

 is here that he may be seen walking — perhaps stalking isthe 

 better word — over the green growth in search of food. His 



