-1 
CURLEW. 
commanding brae: wheeling round the spot and screaming loudly it alights at a short distance and 
attempts to attract attention. 
Tlie eggs are large and usually pear-shaped, their colour and the markings resembling to a certain extent 
those of the well-known Peewit. The scanty nest is commonly placed in some slight hollow, either sheltered 
by a heather bush or in the midst of a tuft of coarse herbage. 
The young for the most part take their departure from the hills on which they are bred shortly after 
attaining sufficient power of wing to undertake an extended flight. Before the end of August considerable 
flocks of immature birds may often be seen on Breydon mudflats in Norfolk ; and on two oiAliree successive 
seasons I shot them in the Nook at Rye in Sussex as early as the last week in July. 
Owing to the numbers that are to be seen on many parts of the coast during summer, I am of opinion 
that the Curlew does not pair and nest before the age of two or, more probably, three years. 
Every fouler is well acquainted with the note of this species. A very faint idea, however, of any tliino- 
approaching the wild and far-resounding cry can be conveyed liy words to those who have not listened to the 
birds themselves. Large flocks often fly mute by day, while the smaller bodies proclaim their presence by an 
exceedingly noisy demonstration. During the night, in rough and stormy weather. Curlews may frequently be 
beard screaming loudly as if separated from their companions. At such times, especially during autumn, when 
large bodies of Waders of various species are passing over, I have repeatedly remarked that the cries of the 
Redshanks would almost drown the voices of the other denizens of the mudflats. The note is by no means 
difficult to imitate ; but although a single wandering bird can usually be decoyed within range, it is seldom that 
any large number are to be imposed upon ; their line of flight may possibly be slightly changed and the 
whistle occasionally responded to, but they almost invariably continue on their course. 
Late in autumn large flocks of Curlew have, on two or three occasions, come under my notice in the 
Tsorth Sea some miles from land; in every instance they were heading southerly. Whether these birds 
v^re migrants from the north of Europe, or merely on the passage from one part of our coasts to another, I can 
o er no opinion During the years I was in communication with the light-ships off the east coast, but little 
could be learned concerning their movements in this quarter, none being taken on any of the vessels. A few 
years ago, however, nine were secured one stormy night on the - Owers ” light-ship, stationed in the Channel 
a tew miles west from Boernor. 
O 
