THE LONG- BILLED CURLEW. 
37 
seemed to be the birds which we had observed near the salt-marshes, as we 
were on our way. As the twilight became darker the number of Curlews 
increased, and the flocks approached in quicker succession, until they appear- 
ed to form a continuous procession, moving not in lines, one after another, 
but in an extended mass, and with considerable regularity, at a height of not 
more than thirty yards, the individuals being a few feet apart. Not a single 
note or cry was heard as they advanced. They moved for ten or more yards 
with regular flappings, and then sailed for a few seconds, as is invariably the 
mode of flight of this species, their long bills and legs stretched out to their 
full extent. They flew directly towards their place of rest, called the 
“ Bird Banks,” and were seen to alight without performing any of the evo- 
lutions which they exhibit when at their feeding-places, for they had not 
been disturbed that season. But when we followed them to the Bird 
Banks, which are sandy islands of small extent, the moment they saw us 
land, the congregated flocks, probably amounting to several thousand indi- 
viduals all standing close together, rose at once, performed a few evolu- 
tions in perfect silence, and re-alighted as if with one accord on the extreme 
margins of the sandbank close to tremendous breakers. It was now dark, 
and we left the place, although some flocks were still arriving. The next 
morning we returned a little before day ; but again as we landed, they all 
rose a few yards in the air, separated into numerous parties, and dispersing 
in various directions, flew off towards their feeding-grounds, keeping low 
over the waters, until they reached the shores, when they ascended to the 
height of about a hundred yards, and soon disappeared. 
Now, reader, allow me to say a few words respecting our lodgings. Fish, 
fowl, and oysters, had been procured in abundance ; and besides these deli- 
cacies, we had taken with us from Charleston some steaks of beef, and a 
sufficiency of good beverage. But we had no cook, save your humble 
servant. A blazing fire warmed and lighted our only apartment. The 
oysters and fish were thrown on the hot embers ; the steaks we stuck on 
sticks in front of them ; and ere long every one felt perfectly contented. It 
is true we had forgotten to bring salt with us ; but I soon proved to my 
merry companions that hunters can find a good substitute in their powder- 
flasks. Our salt on this occasion was gunpowder, as it has been with me 
many a time ; and to our keen appetites, the steaks thus salted were quite as 
savoury as any of us ever found the best cooked at home. Our fingers and 
mouths, no doubt, bore marks of the “ villainous saltpetre,” or rather of the 
charcoal with which it was mixed, for plates or forks we had none ; but this 
only increased our mirth. Supper over, we spread out our blankets on the 
log floor, extended ourselves on them with our feet towards the fire, and our 
arms under our heads for pillows. I need not tell you bow soundly we slept. 
