The Hudsonian Curlew 



standing from the harvest of the preceding summer. Approaching to 

 within sixty yards of the big fellows, as they stood bunched at the water's 

 edge, I concealed myself as best I could and enjoyed an opportunity to 

 become better acquainted with these most interesting birds. The nervous 

 lispings, that at my approach threatened to break into the clamorous, 

 screaming flight calls, finally subsided and the birds fed and waded about 

 in the water or preened their feathers while standing storkdike on one leg. 

 Suddenly I was thrilled with a medley of subdued pipings so marvelously 

 sweet and musical that I could hardly believe the sound came from my 

 flock of curlews. The faintest whispering it seemed, yet the liquid melody 

 was really far-reaching and was, as I afterwards learned, distinctly audible 

 from a distance of a quarter of a mile when atmospheric conditions were 

 favorable. A strange nervous unrest seemed to affect the entire group on 

 the ground. The whistlings became louder and the cause was suddenly 

 revealed to me when a curlew call from overhead drew my attention to a 

 flock of new arrivals, nine in number, that were circling preparatory to 

 joining the company at the pond. My surprise and admiration knew no 

 bounds when I realized the sublime heights at which these travellers 

 through the sky had been flying. Mere specks they appeared, and yet 

 their melodious call rang clear and distinct." 



Taken near Santa Barbara 



JACKS IN FLIGHT 



Photo by the A uthor 

 1289 



