190 
SCOLOPACID.-E. 
tail coverts, and lower half of back, deep glossy green, changing 
to purple in certain directions of the light. 
Tail coloured in the same manner as the scapulars. 
Wings . — Both sets of coverts and the whole of the quills 
deep glossy green, with purple and bronze reflections. 
Under Surface . — From lower part of neck to tail dark brown, 
slightly glossed with gTeen, bronze, and purple, especially on 
the sides. 
Tarsi, feet, and bare part of tibiae, olive-green; claws 
brownish olive-green. 
Although the specimen is nearly equal in size to an adult, 
the markings on the head and front of the neck indicate youth ; 
the adult is redder beneath, and has the general plumage more 
glossed. 
IV. SCOLOF ACIBuE. 
THE CUELEW. 
Numenius arqiiata. 
WIIAUP — STOCK WHAUP. 
This well-known species is very frequent upon every coast, 
being met with singly or in small flocks, the latter seldom ex- 
ceeding thirty individuals. Very frequently in winter, couples, 
perhaps pairs — for the two are usually of opposite sexes — 
are to be seen constantly occupying one particular part of the 
shore, keeping quite to themselves for w^eeks at a time, and 
showing no desire to join others of their kind in the neigh- 
bourhood. These are always old birds. About the middle or 
end of April the flocks break up and pair, retiring immediately 
to the moors, where for some days they may be seen flying very 
high, uttering their far-resounding cries, and, like certain other 
bipeds who at such times indulge in flights of fancy, seeming 
to care very little for food. Laying generally begins about the 
middle of ^Tay ; but I have taken eggs as early as the 2d of 
