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what elevated tussock. It is, we are informed by Mr. Benzon, tolerably numerous in Denmark 

 in April and May, and again from July to September, when migrating ; a few remain and breed 

 in some parts, as on the west coast of Schleswick and on Lseso. In Holland and Belgium it 

 occurs during the seasons of migration ; and Baron de Selys Longchamps writes that he believes 

 that it breeds in the sandy districts, as he has obtained it from the Ardennes in the summer, and 

 has seen it near Ostend in the month of August. It passes through France during the seasons 

 of migration ; but, according to Jaubert and Barthelemy Lapommeraye, some few are sedentary in 

 the Camargue. In Portugal and Spain it is numerous during the winter season; Major Irby 

 writes that " it is chiefly an autumnal migrant, some being seen as early as August, and during 

 the winter common;" and Mr. Howard Saunders, concurring with this, adds that, "not being 

 esteemed for the table, it is but little persecuted, and consequently not so shy as with us." 



Passing eastward we find it in Savoy not uncommon in October and November, and again in 

 March and April. In Sardinia it is common during the winter season; and Mr. C. A. Wright 

 records it from Malta as occurring in the " spring and autumn, oftenest seen in September and 

 October. It also passes in July, when its well-known call may not unfrequently be heard on 

 still nights." Lord Lilford found it " very abundant on the Ionian Islands from October to 

 April ; and a few may occasionally be observed at all seasons of the year ;" and Lindermayer says 

 that a few remain throughout the winter in the southern provinces of Greece, but large flocks 

 appear in the spring on their way northward. It has not been known to breed in Greece. I 

 have myself observed the Curlew in various parts of Southern Germany, along the Danube, and 

 near Galatz in the late autumn ; and Professor von Nordmann records it as " common during 

 migration on the shores of the Black Sea, but it does not breed there." He remarks that in 

 April 1837 he procured at Odessa a specimen which had the underparts washed with reddish 

 brown. It is doubtless to be met with all along the coasts of Asia Minor ; and, according to 

 Captain Shelley, " the Curlew is plentiful throughout Egypt and Nubia, where it frequents the 

 sandbanks on the river and the marshes of the Delta and the Fayoom. I have seen it in Upper 

 Egypt as late as the end of April ; but I found it most plentiful in the Fayoom and Lower Egypt, 

 where I have frequently killed specimens." In North-western Africa it is common during the 

 seasons of migration and the winter ; and, according to Major Loche, a few remain to breed as far 

 south as Algeria. Mr. Taczanowski writes to me that he met with it commonly at Fezzara, near 

 Constantine, and in many other localities in Algeria. It is likewise found on the Azores ; and 

 Mr. F. DuCane Godman records it as occurring on the eastern, western, and central groups. 



To the eastward the Common Curlew occurs in India, Dauria, Japan, China, and in the 

 Indian archipelago ; but it is most difficult to determine its exact range, as it here meets a closely 

 allied species (W. cyanoipus, VieilL), which differs in having the rump and upper tail-coverts brown, 

 and strongly barred. Professor Schlegel, however, writes that he has examined specimens of the 

 present species from Nepal, Japan, Sumatra, Java, Southern Borneo, and Halmahera. Dr. Jerdon 

 writes that it is " found throughout India, most abundantly perhaps 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 time of its arrival or departure sometimes in great numbers. It arrives in 

 September, and leaves in March or April." Dr. Leith Adams also records it from the " lakes of 

 Cashmere and rivers of the Punjab, pretty common ;" and Captain Bulger met with it on the 



