PLATE XXYIII. 



GENUS NUMENIUS (Latham). 



THREE species of the genus Curlew inhabit Australia, so far as their nomadic habits will allow of their 

 having a settled place of abode anywhere. During the period of their visits they may be found 

 frequenting Hat sandy shores of the ocean or tidal rivers, but retire in spring to the upland districts to 

 breed in their respective homes. 



NUMENIUS CYANOFUS (Vidiiot). 



AUSTRALIAN CURLEW. Genus: Numbnius. 



THIS bird is well known to inhabitants of the country districts of the colonies from its habit of 

 collecting in flocks of a dozen or so soon after sunset in the autumn and winter evenings, and on 

 bright moonlight nights, when its shrill screams give a most weird effect to the night. Flying in extended 

 horizontal lines over the water, or adjacent sandy shore or meadow land, they give forth their screaming 

 chorus upon the still night air with a force and abruptness that is truly alarming to the suddenly awakened 

 sleeper near at hand. In the distance the effect is softened, and gives a poetic effect to the silvery 

 moonlight ; but should the night be dark and tempestuous there is something awful and ghoul-like in 

 the blast of song borne shrilly on the wind. 



Of semi-nocturnal habits, the Curlew is often surprised asleep among the bracken or scant herbage 

 of the coastal ranges, and is so stupid then that it is almost incapable of escaping and may be knocked 

 over with a stick. 



Found throughout Australasia, it is nowhere more numerous than in Tasmania, where it may 

 be met with in flocks about the rivers and marshy places. Its principal foods are molluscs and crabs, 

 which are found abundantly on the banks and flats left bare by the out-going tide. 



The only differences between the Australian Curlew and the Common Curlew of Europe lie in 

 the greater length of the bill and the colouring of the rump and upper tail coverts, which are barred 

 with brown instead of being white ; the under surfaces are washed with buff. 



In speaking of migratory birds, J. A. Campbell cites the experience of Dr. Seebohm with regard 

 to their extensive range of habitat. He (Dr. Seebohm) says "the Australian Curlew breeds in South- 

 Eastern Siberia, from Lake Baikal to the mouth of the River Amoor, passing along the coasts of Japan 

 and China on migrations, and crosses the line to winter in Australia. There have been several occurences 

 of the Curlew in New Zealand, therefore it must sometimes travel over a hundred degrees of the earth's 

 surface, and if it be not a migrant it certainly is a nomad on a gigantic scale." 



Gould was of opinion that when the breeding places were discovered they would prove to lie 

 cither the high lands of Tasmania or Australia Felix. 



The sexes are alike. 



