186 
SCOLOPACID^. 
details some little difference. — Oct. 6, 1837. Wlien high water 
was just about reaching the curlew-bank at Harrison^s Bay, six of 
these birds flew over me within shot, as I was riding down 
Bunker^s-hill. When they were out of sight, a single bird, which 
had doubtless been feeding with them and was left behind, fol- 
lowed in their wake precisely, though they could not have been 
seen by it. A few minutes afterwards, the grand flock sallied 
from their bank, flying, as usual, down the bay. It was beautiful 
to observe them, at first in picturesque irregularity, then lengthen- 
ing out to a single string or chain, and so continuing until they 
disappeared from view. A small party remained behind on the 
bank, and in silence, until, at the report of a swivel-gun fired at 
the distance of some miles, they commenced first whaapmg gut- 
turally, and then calling shrilly to each other. The smaller 
waders, dunlins, &c., though silent before, now sent forth their 
shrill calls, which were as Likely to have been prompted by 
those of the guardian curlew as caused by their hearing the 
report.'^ 
Sometimes, but very rarely, the tide is so low as not to reach 
the curlew-bank, on which occasions the birds remain congregated 
on it until the feeding-grounds they had left are once more 
exposed by the ebb, and then return to them ; but from their 
being easily alarmed, though without sufficient cause, they are usually 
frightened away. I have noted on one occasion, that after waiting 
patiently here for nearly an hour after high water, the report of a 
swivel-gun at no great distance, though not within several shots 
of their bank, alarmed them, and though their hour had almost 
come for spreading themselves over the oozy banks, they rose, en 
masse, high into the air, and took their flight towards the entrance 
of the bay. Eive herons rising from the banks at the same time, 
followed them in a flock. 
I once observed with interest a departure from the usual pro- 
* When observing large bodies of lapwings and other birds alight beside flocks of 
curlews, one can hardly but think that it is done to be under their guardianship, 
knowing, as different species must well do, their extreme vigilance. The smaller 
gulls act similarly, by gathering about the spot where their chief, Larus marinus, 
takes up his position. 
