BEH GOOLOGIST 

No. 853.—July 15th, 1912. 
HABITS OF THE WHIMBREL (NUMENIUS 
PHA40OPUS). 
By J. A. Harvir-Brown. 
WHEN visiting many of the islands of the Shetland group 
in 1890, I had opportunities of observing the Whimbrel at its 
nesting haunts. On July 1st in that year I witnessed a phase 
of flight which I have no recollection of seeing described before.* 
As that day’s experiences provided me with some matters of 
interest, in the hope that it may interest others I may perhaps 
be permitted to speak at some length of them. 
In a large circular hollow a pair of Whimbrels were evidently 
nesting. Supposing the nest—in this case it was the young, 
recently hatched—be anywhere situate on the great flat, central 
portion of this saucer, which is about half a mile in diameter 
before the land rises gradually to the circumference—the moment 
the sky-line shows the figure of a man breaking its continuity, 
it may be considered certain that the birds have instantly 
realized danger, and that the female is off the nest, or running 
from her young, doubtless after uttering a low note of warning. 
When a nearer approach is made the cock springs into the air, 
and, with loud warning cries, comes straight towards the intruder 
on their solitudes. Then he circles round, continually crying, 
but occasionally pitching on a ridge or hummock. As the 
human intruder approaches still nearer, then the hen will be 
* Unless, indeed, Mr. E. Selous says aught regarding it in his ‘ Bird 
Watching in Shetland,’ which I do not have beside me to refer to. 
Gool. 4th ser. vol. XVI., July, 1912. U 
