CURLEW TBINGA. 9-3 



quently in July ; the young also arrive in groups of ten or 

 twelve in August and September. 



The flight of the Curlew Tringa is quick, and performed 

 by rapid motions of the sharp pointed wings, while flying at 

 a high elevation ; but skimming, when passing low over the 

 water or flats. By nature this bird is not shy, but may very 

 easily be approached within gun-shot ; and when surprised 

 by an enemy, it squats close to the ground and becomes an 

 easy prey, provided there is only a single individual on the 

 spot ; where there is a party congregated, they are more cir- 

 cumspect, although when fired at they soon return again to 

 the same spot. We ascribe this latter circumstance to the 

 local nature of the spots frequented by these birds, the soil 

 of which affords a greater quantity of food, that suits their 

 taste, than is to be found elsewhere. 



The day time is passed by this species in feeding and 

 roosting, and the night in travelling during the time of mi- 

 gration, but at other seasons the Curlew Tringa lies quiet 

 during the night. 



The call-note of this species is a shrill piping sound, which 

 it utters at times on the wing, but not frequently. 



The Curlew Tringa is in all states to be distinguished. 

 from the other sandpipers, by its curved beak, white rump 

 and upper tail-coverts, and also by its longer legs, principally 

 consisting in the greater length of the naked part of the 

 tibia. 



The entire length of the Curlew Tringa is seven inches 

 and a half; the beak measures one inch and a half; the legs, 

 including the naked part of the tibia^ one inch nine lines. 

 The beak of the Curlew Tringa extends from the forehead in 

 a graceful sweep to the tip, as represented in our Plate, and 

 is of an entirely black colour. The legs are also black in the 

 adult and dusky in the young bird. The iris is very dark 



