BRITISH BIRDS* 
56 
worms, marine infers, and other hihy fubftances 
which they pick up on the beach, and among the 
ioofe rocks and pools left by the retiring tide. The 
flelli of the Curlew has been charadized by fome 
as very good, and of a fine flavour ; by others as 
directly the reverfe : the truth is, that, while they 
are in health and feafon, and live on the moors, 
fcarcely any bird can excel them in goodnefs ; but 
when they have lived fome time on the fea-fhore, 
they acquire a rank and filhy tafle. 
