THE LONG-BILLED CURLEW. 37 



seemed to be the birds which we had observed near the salt-marshes, as we 

 were on our way. As the twilight became darker the number of Curlews 

 increased, and the flocks approached in quicker succession, until they appear- 

 ed to form a continuous procession, moving not in lines, one after another, 

 but in an extended mass, and with considerable regularity, at a height of not 

 more than thirty yards, the individuals being a few feet apart. Not a single 

 note or cry was heard as they advanced. They moved for ten or more yards 

 with regular flappings, and then sailed for a few seconds, as is invariably the 

 mode of flight of this species, their long bills and legs stretched out to their 

 full extent. They flew directly towards their place of rest, called the "Bird 

 Banks," and were seen to alight without performing any of the evolutions 

 which they exhibit when at their feeding-places, for they had not been dis- 

 turbed that season. But when we followed them to the Bird Banks, which 

 are sandy islands of small extent, the moment they saw us land, the congre- 

 gated flocks, probably amounting to several thousand individuals all standing 

 close together, rose at once, performed a few evolutions in perfect silence, 

 and re-alighted as if with one accord on the extreme margins of the sand- 

 bank close to tremendous breakers. It was now dark, and we left the place, 

 although some flocks were still arriving. The next morning we returned a 

 little before day; but again as we landed, they all rose a few yards in the air, 

 separated into numerous parties, and dispersing in various directions, flew off 

 towards their feeding-grounds, keeping low over the waters, until they 

 reached the shores, when they ascended to the height of about a hundred 

 yards, and soon disappeared. 



Now, reader, allow me to say a few words respecting our lodgings. Fish, 

 fowl, and oysters had been procured in abundance; and besides these deli- 

 cacies, we had taken with us from Charleston some steaks of beef, and a 

 sufficiency of good beverage. But we had no cook, save your humble 

 servant. A blazing fire warmed and lighted our only apartment. The 

 oysters and fish were thrown on the hot embers; the .steaks we stuck on 

 sticks in front of them; and ere long every one felt perfectly contented. It 

 is true we had forgotten to bring salt with us; but I soon proved to my 

 merry companions that hunters can find a good substitute in their powder- 

 flasks. Our salt on this occasion was gunpowder, as it has been with me 

 many a time; and to our keen appetites, the steaks thus salted were quite as 

 savoury as any of us ever found the best cooked at home. Our fingers and 

 mouths, no doubt, bore marks of the "villanous saltpetre," or rather of the 

 charcoal with which it was mixed, for plates or forks we had none; but this 

 only increased our mirth. Supper over, we spread out our blankets on the 

 log floor, extended ourselves on them with our feet towards the fire, and our 

 arms under our heads for pillows. I need not tell you how soundly we slept. 



