406 



cattle have been pasturing, in search of food, returning during the day-time to the sandy or stony 

 uncultivated places, where it is less likely to be disturbed ; and here it sometimes searches for 

 food, frequently turning the stones over with its bill in search of insects that may have taken 

 refuge underneath. It is also stated to feed on small mammals, especially mice, and on frogs. 



It nests in the unfruitful dry places where it is usually found during the day-time ; and in 

 some parts of Europe it is said to raise two broods in the season. Its nest is a mere depression 

 scratched in the soil, without any lining, in which two or three eggs are deposited. These are 

 stone-buff in colour, somewhat profusely spotted and blotched with dark, almost blackish-brown 

 surface-marks, and more sparingly marked with pale purplish grey or greyish brown shell-spots 

 and clashes. Many of the surface-markings are peculiarly contorted, as if drawn with a pen ; and 

 in the series of eggs in my collection I find the individual variation by no means small. In size 

 they vary from 2 inches by 1^§ to 2^ - by 1^ inch and 2^ by 1\%. 



Mr. Stevenson gives (B. of Norf. ii. p. 61) some interesting notes respecting the habits of 

 this species, which I transcribe as follows : — " My own opportunities of observing this species 

 have been somewhat limited; but in May 1864, in company with my friend Mr. Dix (who, as a 

 resident at that time at West Harling, was well acquainted with their haunts), I had every 

 facility, with the help of a good glass, for studying their habits in a wild state. In that neigh- 

 bourhood, on the open ' brecks,' the eggs are usually laid on some slightly rising ground, whence 

 a good look-out is kept, and where it is almost impossible to come upon the birds by surprise. 

 If the exact spot is known, long before any near approach can be made, the old bird may be seen 

 to rise slowly to its feet, and with arched back, like a French Partridge, walk slowly off a few 

 yards, when, if further pressed, the pace quickens, and, joined probably by its mate from you 

 know not where, so like are their tints to the surrounding soil, the pair rise on the wing, and 

 with a strong quick flight, and outstretched legs, betake themselves to some distant part of the 

 field, uttering at intervals their loud tremulous whistle. As ground-breeders they are necessarily 

 exposed to many dangers, their eggs being so generally taken when discovered ; and though 

 Carrion-Crows are scarce in this game-preserving country, the Rooks, especially in dry seasons, are 

 scarcely less active as egg-stealers. In this respect Mr. Dix considers that the eggs are safer 

 when laid in the middle of a wide open field than, as is often the case, when situated within 

 some fifty yards of a large fir ' slip,' or plantation. In the former case he has known the Curlew 

 to fight off the Rook when suspiciously approaching its treasures ; on the other hand the Rook, 

 quietly perched on the trees, watches the Curlew leave her nest, and at once descends to plunder 

 it. The shepherds, when driving their sheep on the lands, always mark the spot where the 

 Curlew rises, and, by her alertness or not in doing so, judge whether the eggs are fresh or sat 

 upon. Nearly all the eggs Mr. Dix has had brought to him at different times have been taken 

 in this way by the shepherds or their lads ; but when a single sheep has approached too near to a 

 nest he has seen the old bird flutter its wings, and thus, by menacing attitudes, attempt to drive 

 off the intruder." 



Besides the present species there are only four species of Stone-Curlews inhabiting Africa, 

 viz. (Ed. senegalensis, (Ed. capensis, (Ed. affinis, and (Ed. vermiculatus. Of these the most nearly 

 allied to the present species is (Edicnemus senegalensis, Swainson, which differs only in having 

 the median and lesser wing-coverts like the back ; and thus the lesser bar across the back is 



