The Hudsonian Curlew 
standing from the harvest of the preceding summer. Approaching to 
within sixty yards of the big fellows, as they stood bunched at the water’s 
edge, I concealed myself as best 1 could and enjoyed an opportunity to 
become better acquainted with these most interesting birds. The nervous 
lispings, that at my approach threatened to break into the clamorous, 
screaming flight calls, finally subsided and the birds fed and waded about 
in the water or preened their feathers while standing stork-like on one leg. 
Suddenly I was thrilled with a medley of subdued pipings so marvelously 
sweet and musical that 1 could hardly believe the sound came from my 
flock of curlews. The fa'intest whispering it seemed, yet the liquid melody 
was really far-reaching and was, as 1 afterwards learned, distinctly audible 
from a distance of a quarter of a mile when atmospheric conditions were 
favorable. A strange nervous unrest seemed to affect the entire group on 
the ground. The whistlings became louder and the cause was suddenly 
revealed to me when a curlew call from overhead drew my attention to a 
flock of new arrivals, nine in number, that were circling preparatory to 
joining the company at the pond. My surprise and admiration knew no 
bounds when I realized the sublime heights at which these travellers 
through the sky had been flying. Mere specks they appeared, and yet 
their melodious call rang clear and distinct.” 
JACKS IN FLIGHT 
Taken near Santa Barbara 
Photo by the Author 
1289 
