or NATURE. 



259 



STONE CURLEW. 



On the 27th of February 1788, Stone 

 Curlews were heard to pipe ; and on 

 March 1st, after it was dark, some were 

 passing over the village, as might be per- 

 ceived by their quick short note, which 

 they use in their nocturnal excursions by 

 way of watch-word, that they may not 

 stray and lose their companions. 



Thus, we see, that retire whithersoever 

 they may in the Winter, they return again 

 early in the Spring, and are, as it now 

 appears, the first Summer birds that come 

 back. Perhaps the mildness of the season 

 may have quickened the emigration of the 

 curlews this year. 



They spend the day in high elevated 

 fields and sheep-walks ; but seem to de- 

 scend in the night to streams and meadows, 

 perhaps for water, which their upland 

 haunts do not afibrd them. White. 



On the 31st of January 1792 I received 

 a bird of this species which had been re- 



