SLENDER-BILLED CURLEW. 



Numenius tenuirostris, Savi. 



Independently of the size of the bill, the distinct spotting of the breast will at all times serve to distinguish 

 this bird from its near allies the Curlew and Whimbrel, which until lately were the only examples of the genus 

 Numenius found in Europe : the honour of adding the present very elegant species is due to Professor Savi. 

 It is a native of the southern portions of Europe, and, which is very singular, we have never seen it from 

 Asia or Africa, countries in which both the common species, the Whimbrel and Curlew, are very abundant. 



Of its habits, manners, &c. nothing is known, but they doubtless resemble those of the other members of 

 the genus. 



Throat white ; the whole of the head and the remainder of the neck pale brown, each feather ornamented 

 in the centre near the tip with an oblong mark of deep brown ; upper part of the back and lesser wing- 

 coverts deep brown margined with pale brown ; greater wing-coverts and the long scapularies pale brown 

 with whitish edges, and barred with deep brown ; tail white, barred with blackish brown ; breast and 

 abdomen white passing into buff on the flanks, and each feather having a large heart-shaped mark in the 

 centre, near the tip ; vent and under tail-coverts white ; base of the lower mandible reddish, the remainder 

 and the whole of the upper mandible black ; legs and feet greenish black. 



We have figured an adult of the natural size. 



