BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 417 
me memories of my home among the hills, where the arrival 
of the Curlew is welcomed as one of the first signs of the 
approach of spring. Living in a country rich in the traditions 
of the Covenanters, I have heard the Curlew praised for the 
part it played in giving warning to the secret conventicle of 
the approach of the troopers, but as often blamed for 
betraying the whereabouts of some poor fugitives to their 
relentless persecutors. 
Its shrill cry, so like its trivial name, is well known to 
most of us ; but the curious rippling crescendo note of the 
Curlew in spring is reserved for those who know the bird at 
its breeding-haunt. On all the moors, mosses and grassy 
hillsides of our uplands this species is abundant at this 
season, and Mr. John Edmond, writing to me from 
Wanlockhead, says it is plentiful there, and that nests are 
found up to the very top of the Lowthers. Richard Bell 
of Castle O'er wrote me in 1909 that a good many years 
ago, on striking an average for thirteen years he found that 
the date of arrival of the Curlew in Eskdalemuir worked 
out at February 27th. He also sent me the following table 
for the eleven years, 1899-1909 
1899 . 
. February 27th. 
1905 
. . February 10th. 
1900 . 
. February 25th. 
1906 
. . February 29th. 
1901 . 
. February 27th. 
1907 
. . February 25th. 
1902 . 
. February 23rd. 
1908 
. . February 17th. 
1903 . 
. February 8th. 
1909 
. . February 6th. 
1904 . 
. January 28th. 
But these observations probably refer to the first arrival 
of individuals, for though the vernal migration of the 
Curlew begins in February, the big general movement from 
the Solway shores takes place as a rule during the first week 
in March. In 1893 this departure was observed so early 
as February 5th, and in 1881 it was delayed till the unusually 
late date of March 14th. But long after this date Curlews 
are annually observed migrating farther north, usually at 
night. A few birds, presumably barren, remain on the 
DD 
