156 TEE ZOOLOGIST. 



of food much too large for it, and after wasting much time, finally 

 give up the attempt. I often saw a bird shaking large pieces of 

 weed ; but whether the intention was to dislodge lurking crabs, etc., 

 or to bite off little tender pieces of the weed itself, I cannot say. 

 Perhaps it was for both reasons. When feeding, the Whimbrel 

 pursues a zigzag course. When a small " drain " or gutter is reached, 

 it runs down one side and up the other — not flying across, although, 

 if the sides are steep, the wings are used to assist in mounting the 

 opposite side. Perhaps on reaching the bottom the bird may change 

 its course, and wade along the little creek, feeding as it goes. Or, in 

 the course of its wanderings, a little pool may be discovered to be 

 full of food. Then, standing thigh-deep in the slush, with both legs 

 nearly straight and close together, it will get to work with many 

 quick and dexterous thrusts of its long bill. The Whimbrel is very 

 easily disturbed. The harsh croak of a Heron is sufficient to unnerve 

 it. Up comes the neck, the tail is spread, and the bird starts to run, 

 opening its wings at the same time, ready to take flight at a second's 

 notice. More often than not, however, it is a false alarm ; the wings 

 are closed and feeding resumed. Like most waders, the Whimbrel, 

 perhaps conscious of its own weakness where birds of another class 

 are concerned, seems possessed of very little courage. It seems to 

 especially dislike the marauding " Grey Gulls," often taking flight 

 when one draws near. I have also seen a Whimbrel flee in haste 

 before a Eook. It is usually a suspicious bird when feeding. If the 

 presence of an enemy is suspected, but not absolutely ascertained, 

 the bird glances over its shoulder and runs away for some distance 

 without a probe ; if the danger is not considered immediate it will 

 feed away from the spot without exhibiting undue anxiety. When 

 flushed at close quarters, the wings are heard to make a loud, swish- 

 ing noise — almost as great as that produced by a Duck. When 

 disturbed it will sometimes fly away without demonstration, but 

 often the shrill call is uttered when it has gone about six yards, and 

 then, after a pause, it fairly shrieks out again as it hurries away to a 

 distant part of the flats. The flight is rapid and straight. The neck 

 is drawn back and the bill held out in front with the point slightly 

 inclined to the ground. The legs are stretched out to their fullest 

 extent, and it seems that they are not held parallel, but that the feet 

 nearly touch. The white rump is conspicuous in flight. When 

 alighting, the Whimbrel sails for a few yards with wings extended 

 and legs dropped down. Then, with, wings raised above the back — 

 showing the lighter undersides — and head thrown back, the legs are 

 pushed forward and tenderly touch the ground, a movement full of 



