THE GREAT CURLEW. 
119 
other, and performing various evolutions. In sunshine they may be 
perceived at a \ery great distance by the glancing of their white under 
parts. At first they are not shy, and might be easily approached ; 
but after being molested, they become rather vigilant. At high 
water they repose on the sands or in their neighbourhood, sometimes 
by themselves, but often in company with Dunlins and Eing/?d 
Plovers. Like those species, they also feed by moonlight. Indi- 
viduals are sometimes seen on various parts of the coast during 
summer, but it does not appear that this species breeds in any part 
of Britain. 
CUELEW. 
The Great Curlew {ScoIojkix, ov Numenius arquata). — 
This is the largest and most common representative of 
the genus Numenius^ comprising the true Curlews, of 
which but tw^o species are known in Britain ; they differ 
from the Sandpipers in having a very short tongue, that 
oi'gan in those birds being long and pointed. In the 
elongated and decurved bill they resemble the Storks. In 
the Great Curlew, which is variously called the Whaap, 
Whaup, Stock Whaap, and Whitterick, the bill is fi'oni five 
to seven inches long, the whole length of the bird not ex- 
ceeding twenty-eight inches ; it has a tolerably stout body, 
supported on long slender shanks, and a neck of moderate 
length. The plumage of the head, neck, and fore part of 
the back, is light reddish grey, streaked w^ith dark brown ; 
the hind part of the back is white, with dark markings of 
a narrow longitudinal form ; the tail, breast, and abdomen 
