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two Green shanks have used the same nest, in which eight eggs were deposited, and have heard 

 from reliable collectors that instances of this nature are not so very rare as might be supposed. 



During the autumn season the Curlews collect and migrate, being then met with in flocks, 

 more especially on the coasts. They are at this season of the year no less cautious than at other 

 times ; and Mr. Thompson, in writing on their habits in Ireland, especially refers to their extreme 

 wariness. This gentleman writes that " in Belfast Bay, in an undulating sweep of the coast, 

 little more than two miles from the town on the county-Down shore, named Harrison's Bay, 

 there is a sand-bank far out of the range of gunshot from any of the fences that half encircle it, 

 and wholly inaccessible to the fowler from any direction without his approach being observed. 

 On this bank the Curlews, before being driven so far off their feeding-grounds by the flowing 

 tide as to place them within gunshot of any part of the shore, assemble clay and night, and call 

 most vociferously to all out-liers, as if in dread that a single straggler from their forces, until this 

 time widely scattered over the banks, should be left behind. The gathering-cry having done its 

 duty, they await in ' clamorous confusion ' the close approach of the tide, which having reached 

 them, the greater number in a large body, followed by nearly all the others in smaller flocks, 

 rise in rapid flight to a considerable elevation, and, assuming in due time the form of a wedge 

 in front, but with the sides of unequal length, wing their way to some insular rocks about the 

 southern entrance of the bay, keeping up all the while a softly guttural concert, seemingly of 

 congratulation or affection, quite the reverse of their ordinary harsh cry. There, the station being 

 unapproachable without their cognizance, they remain in perfect security until the ebbing tide 

 has again exposed the sand-bank that they left, and just then, with unerring certainty, they return, 

 well knowing that their feeding-ground, at a sufficient distance from the shore to keep them safe 

 from fowlers, is again uncovered. They leave this asylum of safety, not as they started for it, in 

 a large body, but in small detached flocks, flying low and silently, or rarely uttering their low 

 guttural note. They appear consecutively over the western point of Hollywood rabbit-warren ; 

 and all hold the same course onwards until they are again spread over the Zostera-covered banks. 

 The period of their absence depends on whether the tides be ' high ' or ' low ; ' two hours after their 

 departure I have observed them to return. In the season when Whimbrels are here, these birds 

 accompany the Curlews in their tidal flights. The above is their ordinary proceeding. The 

 following note details some little difference: — Oct. 6, 1837. When high water was first about 

 reaching the Curlew-bank at Harrison's Bay, six of these birds flew over me within shot, as I 

 was riding down Bunker's Hill. When they were out of sight, a single bird, which had doubtless 

 been feeding with them and was left behind, followed 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 lengthening out to a single string or chain, and so continuing till 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 gutturally, 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 



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