198 
SCOLOPACID^. 
above this proportion. In Cork harbour, whimbrels are said 
to appear in considerable flocks in spring ; but a few only to be 
seen in autuinn."^ My correspondents do not mention this 
bird as visiting the western coasts at the latter season ; but its 
numbers are now so small where they do appear, that they might 
pass unobserved, though in spring the large flocks are conspicu- 
ous on the shores.t 
Not only is the whimbrel, as already remarked, the only bird 
among our Scolopacidce of regular double passage, but it differs 
from aU the other species of the family in the much fewer num- 
bers appearing daring the autumnal than the vernal migration. 
Its course of flight, too, both in spring and autumn, differs from 
that of its congeners. 
In spring, whimbrels, probably for want of company — no god- 
wits, &c. being here — keep generally by themselves,^^ and as 
such, are literally a host but in autumn, they exhibit a very 
sociable disposition, and are frequently to be found in company 
with curlews — with godwits, too, they not uncommonly associate : I 
have obtained both species at the same shot. At this time they 
accompany the curlew in its prudential flights, as detailed in 
treating of that bird, and under a safer guardian the most 
trustworthy of friends could not place them. Never when under 
the surveillance of the curlew, but only when trusting to them- 
selves, have wliimbrels fallen to my gun. Like that bird, they 
fly much about during the autumnal nights, be these dark or 
moonlight ; but they prefer the latter. They may always be dis- 
tinguished from other species by the cry, resembling in sound the 
word titterel ; — the provincial name applied to them in Sussex. J 
They fly from the sea inland, as well as in the opposite direction, 
and take both courses during every state of the tide ; hence we 
may consider that they are night-feeding birds. 
* Mr, Wm. Crawford. 
t In the island of Islay, Scotland, the whimbrel is annually seen on its spring 
passage northward ; but has not been observed at any other season by my informant. 
t Knox, ‘ Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,’ p. 8. 
