WHIMBREL CURLEW. J 99 



thunder-storm : at such times the bird repeats its call very 

 frequently, and during the storm seems not only to be low- 

 spirited, but careless of danger ; when the weather clears up 

 it becomes lively, and seems to shew its satisfaction in its 

 manners. 



The present species is generally as careful of its safety as 

 the former ; and when a number of them present themselves 

 on the sea-shore, some few are to be seen watching the 

 approach of danger, in the character of sentinels, which are 

 placed fifty or sixty paces in advance of the party : the 

 cry of these sentinels announces the enemy, and in an instant 

 the whole number are on the wing and soar away at a re- 

 spectful distance. A young bird now and then, more unwary, 

 flies within reach of a sportsman, and thus becomes the imma- 

 ture specimen in a collection of birds. 



The call-note of the Whimbrel is very similar to that 

 of the Curlew, with the difference of its being a note or two 

 higher in the scale and less strong : the nearest description 

 is twoiwe, or tlotwee ! Tat, tail is twice or thrice re- 

 peated when the Whimbrel is flying about in search of food, 

 or straying about by itself. 



The Whimbrel feeds on insects and worms, but not so 

 much so as the Curlew, for it also consumes small crabs 

 and beetles that it finds on the sea-shore. In dry places 

 it feeds on all sorts of beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and 

 snails. Whenever it can meet with bilberries (Vaccinium 

 myrtillus) it is sure to feast on them with much eagerness ; 

 also on wh or tie-berries (F. uliginosum) and crow-berries 

 (Empetrum nigrum). 



The reproduction of the species takes place within the 

 arctic region, namely, in the Faroe Isles, in Iceland, Scandi- 

 navia, and Finland, &c. ; the locality being some dry spot, 



