CUKLEW. 
3 
"While passing over the moors on a low-lying portion of Strath Glass during the last week in May 1878, the 
loud and angry cries of a Curlew were heard, and the next moment the bird came in view, following and 
buffeting with the utmost fury a large female Kestrel, which happened in the most inoffensive manner to he 
crossing the flats on which the nest of the M ader was situated. The Hawk appeared hut little disconeerted hy 
the attack, and kept steadily on its way across a loch from which scores of Black-headed Gulls turned out 
and joined in the clamour. 
If their proceedings are carefully watehed it will be seen that these birds extract immense quantities of 
marine worms and other insects from the mudflats. Though they may at times ol)tain a small amount of 
sustenance, such as soft crabs and other Crustacea, off the sandbanks and rocks, it is, I believe, principally by 
boring in the ooze of the mudflats tliat their food is obtained. In the south of Scotland (East Lothian) I 
have repeatedly noticed large flocks frequenting the grass-parks as well as the aral)le lands during the autumn. 
At this time they are more fit for table than at any other season. 
Cullens, during severe frosts, are occasionally to be seen exposed for sale in numbers in the markets, and 
are not unfiequently hawked about the streets as Sea-T\ oodcocks. Under some circumstances they may possibly 
affoid a passable dish, though I am decidedly of opinion that any person purchasing one with the expectation 
tliat it will compare with a Golden Plover or a "Woodcock will meet with disappointment. Eor my own part, not 
considering these Waders worth a charge of powder and shot when required for the table, I have but seldom of 
late years molested them *, especially as it is the best policy to remain at peace with the large flocks that 
occasionally fall m the way of the punt-gunner. After a few shots they are usually unapproachable, and the 
noise they make when alarmed is as ivell understood hy all wildfowl as the warning cry of the Oyster-catcher 
or Redshank. Though exceedingly tempting chances were repeatedly passed over, I have occasionally, when 
anxious to blow a charge from the antiquated muzzle-loaders on the coasts of the Scotch friths or on the Norfolk 
flats, stopped as many as a dozen or a score with the discharge of the old gun. But one fair shot at these 
birds IS recorded m my notes. On this occasion forty-two Curlews and six Wigeon were gathered to the boats. 
As is almost invariably the case, a mishap (in this instance the accidental grounding of the punt on a 
detached and partially submerged piece of mud) occurred and considerably interfered with tlie results. 
The plumage of the Curlew during the breeding-season has been, in the case of the few individuals 
I have closely examined, far richer in tint than in the Avinter months. The markings on the breast are 
also more clearly defined and extended, the feathers on the underparts being but slightly streaked and 
almost white in winter. I particularly noticed that in the only pair I ever procured as specimens during the 
summer the beaks were decidedly smaller than in those killed in winter. I am also of opinion that these 
aders attain a greater weight throughout the latter part of autumn and winter than during the summer. 
The young, I have repeatedly remarked, when shot on the south coast shortly after their first arrival from the 
north, appear both larger and heavier tlian the adults obtained at their breeding-haunts. 
rile black and brown markings on the down of tlie nestlings are not unlike those on young wild Ducks ; 
Bie colours, however, are more intermixed, the black patches being of smaller extent. Tlie beak for some weeks 
is short, and resembles in shape that of the Golden Plover, though slightly longer and thicker. The young 
biids run as soon as hatched, and are almost as large as the adults before they can get on wing. In parts of 
the Highlands Avhere roads intersect the moors, the juveniles may be Avatched stalking about in the heather 
and coarse grass, perfectly unconcerned and by no means alarmed by a passing conveyance. If approached, 
howevei, they Avill, after a short and clumsy attempt at escape, squat down in some thick cover, and on 
eing lifted up, utter a low and plaintive AAdiistlc, Avhich frequently summons the old bird from some 
* I am not aware whether 
fowl or Plover, I have for a time 
my own experience in such matters is singular ; it is, however, a fact, that after shooting any quantities of wild- 
entertained the greatest aversion to even the smell of their cooking. 
