CURLEW. 171 



the feathers of the head, neck, and wing coverts, pale brown, dashed 

 down the middle with black ; round the eye, on the fore part, white ; 

 back white, streaked with black ; breast and belly white, marked 

 with narrow, longish lines of black ; quills black, spotted on the 

 inner webs with white; tail reddish white, barred with black; legs 

 dusky blue. Male and female much alike. 



This is pretty common in England, and in some parts called 

 Whaap : is to be met with at all seasons : in the winter in moist, 

 arable land, near the sea coast, marshes, and salt water mud, where 

 it subsists in the same manner as the Woodcock and Snipe ; repairs 

 in summer to mountains and more inland parts, which are least 

 frequented, to breed. 



The female lays four eggs, of a pale olive, marbled with brownish 

 spots; not in a nest, but among the rushes, or long grass; the young 

 use their legs as soon as hatched, but are not able to fly for a con- 

 siderable time. The food, while near the sea, consists of worms, 

 marine, crustaceous, and other insects ; at other times on slugs and 

 worms, which it draws out of the earth, morning and evening, with 

 its long bill. Is often found in large flocks, and flies rather swiftly. 

 The flesh had formerly the reputation of being well relished, and in 

 fact is so, if in line condition ; but has frequently a rank and fishy 

 taste, when poor and lean. It is found on the Continent of Europe, 

 as high as Lapmark, and Iceland, also on the vast Plains of Russia 

 and Siberia, quite to Kamtschatka ; frequent also on the borders of 

 the Caspian Sea.* On the other hand it is met with in Italy and 

 Greece, and perhaps much farther to the south, as flocks are seen 

 passing over the Island of Malta, spring and autumn ; is found on 

 all the shores of Spain and Gibraltar, in the autumn and winter, and 

 brought into the markets in plenty ; but the flesh is rank and coarse. 

 I suspect that is not unknown in Africa : there are few drawings 

 either from China or India in which this bird is not represented : in 

 some parts of the latter called Gaudah ; by the Mussulmans Goar; 



* Gmel. reise, iv. p. 141. 

 Z 2 



