178 
NATURAL HISTORY 
CURLEW. 
These birds, during the winter season, 
are by no means uncommon on the sca- 
coasts of various parts of England. They 
associate in flocks, and utter, during their 
flight, a peculiar cry or whistle, from the 
sound of which their name has been derived. 
This bird’s flesh may challenge for flavour 
and delicacy that of any other water-fowl; 
and the people of Suffolk say proverbially: 
“ The Curlew , be she white or black , 
She carries twelve-pence on her back.” 
Of this, the fowlers arc not ignorant, and 
therefore sell them dear. But we must con* 
*fess, that the quality of their flesh depends 
on their manner of feeding, and the season 
in which they are caught. 
