92 SCOLOPACID.E. 



The locality frequented by the Curlew Tringa is most fre- 

 quently the sandy, flat, sea-coast, and, during its migrations, 

 also the flat shores of inland seas or lakes, and ponds, where 

 the vegetation is short and thin. 



During high-water the Curlew Tringa passes the time on 

 the shores of rivers, lakes, ponds, &c, but no sooner has 

 the tide turned and left the muddy flat shores of the sea ex- 

 posed, than the bird returns thither, and remains closely 

 following up the receding waves in pursuit of its food, which 

 is obtained by probing the soft mud with its bill. 



The food of this species consists in small worms, insects, 

 shrimps, sand-hoppers, and the larvae of insects, on which it 

 thrives exceeding well, and becomes fat. 



In confinement it may be kept on universal paste, pro- 

 vided a constant supply of fresh water is not wanting, as 

 this bird never swallows its food without having first clipped 

 it in water. 



That the Curlew Tringa is a migratory species is well 

 known and generally acknowledged, but how far it journeys 

 north to breed is not well ascertained : in Europe we have 

 reason to suppose that Finnland is the country where the 

 greatest number congregate for that purpose, although some 

 few remain in England, and on the opposite coasts of Hol- 

 land and France. We are not able to give any particulars 

 respecting the nest and eggs ; Temminck describes the eggs 

 as resembling those of other sandpipers in colour and shape, 

 but we have never seen a specimen either in a public or pri- 

 vate collection : should we be so fortunate to succeed in our 

 endeavours to obtain the sight of one, we shall figure it in a 

 subsequent number. 



A considerable proof that this bird does not travel to 

 any great distance northward to breed, is afforded by the 

 early return of individuals in the end of our summer, fre- 



