By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 



61 



sense of touch down to the very point of the beak, and its capa- 

 bility of seizing as in a forceps the worm which it cannot see, 

 renders that admirable organ complete for its purposes, and enables 

 it to serve the place of eyes, nose, tongue, and hand. Birds of the 

 Snipe family have also for the most part long and slender legs, 

 large and prominent eyes, and well developed wings. They are all 

 migrants, and also move from one chosen locality to another, as 

 the frost compels them : for soft damp ground in which they can 

 bore with their sensitive beaks without difficulty, is absolutely 

 essential to them. 



"Curlew/' (Numenius arquata) . This was a common bird on 

 the downs, within the memory of many living sportsmen. Mr. 

 Butler of Kennett, (from whom I derive much practical inform- 

 ation on the Ornithology of Wilts) tells me that he can recollect 

 the time when they were frequently killed here : and others assure 

 me they used to breed regularly in certain districts on the downs. 

 I have now many records before me of the occurrence of single 

 birds in various parts of the county ; but they are only stragglers 

 and by no means regular visitors now. Everybody knows the wild 

 mournful whistling cry of the Curlew, as it rises from the marsh 

 or mud-bank on the sea-shore ; and equally well known is the 

 peculiar long curved beak with which it is provided. It is of a 

 shy timid nature, and avoids the proximity of man, and is so wary, 

 vigilant, and withal so quick-sighted as to be the first to discover 

 and give notice of the presence of an intruder, as every shore- 

 shooter knows to his vexation and cost. And as it seeks out for 

 its retreat the most retired and lonely spots, I conclude that the 

 breaking up and cultivation of our wild downs has been the cause 

 of banishing it from amongst us. 



" Whimbrel." (Numenius phceopus.) Doubtless this bird is 

 often confounded with the preceding, to which it bears a very close 

 resemblance in all points, and from which it differs in little else 

 than in size. It is about one third less than its congener, and 

 hence has derived the names of Half-Curlew, and Jack-Curlew. 

 I have but one undoubted instance of its occurrence in Wilts, the 

 specimen in my lamented friend the Rev. George Marsh's collection 



