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HISTORY

or

BRITISH BIRDS.

BY

THE REV. F? of MORRIS, B.A.,

MEMBER OF THE ASHHOLBAN SOCIETY.

VOL. V.

CONTAINING FORTY-SEVEN COLOURED ENGRAVINGS.

• Gloria in erects is Deo.'

LONDON:
GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS. 5, PATERNOSTEB BOW,

.GTM<35
v.b

CONTENTS

or

THE FIFTH VOLUME.

PAGE

Great Bustard

Little Bustard

Macqueen's Bustard

Pratincole

„ 15

Courser

17
Great Plover

Golden Plover

Dotterel

Ringed Dotterel

Little Ringed Dotterel

Kentish Dotterel

40
Grey Plover

Peewit

Turnstone

„ , i. . . 57

Sanderlmg

Ovster-catcher *

~ . . 65

Crane

Heron ^

Purple Heron

Great White Heron

Little Egret

iv CONTEXTS.

PAGB

Buff-backed Heron 92

Squacco Heron 94

Night Heron 97

Bittern . . . . . . . . . 101

Little Bittern 107

American Bittern 112

White Stork 114

Black Stork 122

Spoonbill 125

Ibis 129

Curlew ......%.... 133

Esquimaux Curlew . 137

Whimbrel 139

Spotted Redshank 143

Eedshank 147

Yellow-shanks 151

Green Sandpiper 153

Wood Sandpiper 157

Common Sandpiper 162

Spotted Sandpiper 167

Greenshank . . . 169

Avocet 173

Stilt 177

Black-tailed Godwit 180

Bar-tailed Godwit 184

Euff . . . 188

HISTORY OF BRITISH BIBD&

GREAT BUSTARD.

Otis tarda, PBNNAHT. MoNTAGCJ.

otis- A Bustard. Tarda— Slow— lazy,

The Bustard is frequent in Asia in Tartary and Syria; and
in Europe in Russia, as also in Germany, Italy, Spain, Dalniatia,
and Trance; rare in Holland and Sweden.

This was formerly an actual British bird, though living now
only among us in the pa^es of history. In the catalogue of
the collection made by Tradescant, the basis of the present
Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, it is spoken of as being taken
with greyhounds on Newmarket Heath, but it seems from what
is presently to be stated that this could not well have been
the case. The B-ev. Leonard Jenyns, in his 'Observations on
the Ornithology of Cambridgeshire,' published in 1S21, says
that till within a few years single individuals had been seen
about there, but that they were then supposed to be almost
extinct; one, however, a young male, was shot on Shelford
Common in January, 1S30, and another at Caxton, in December,
1832. Ray and Willughby also mention Boyston Heath as
a place frequented in their time by this species. Salisbury
Plain, Wiltshire, was another noted locality for it; one was
shot there on the 29th. of September, 1800, and there were
two others in company with it. In the summer of 1801 two
were seen there, and they are reported to have attacked mounted
horsemen; one of* them was captured; another, a female, occurred
there to G. rhouse, £sq., on the 9th. of August, l^i(J.

It was also known in Hampshire, and Gilbert White mentions
his having been informed of eighteen onee seen together near
vol.. v. b

2 GREAT BUSTARD.

Winchester. The 'South Downs' of Sussex likewise furnished
it. In Suffolk it was known, and in Norfolk, chiefly at Westacre,
where nineteen were observed together in 1819; one also was
met with near Burnham, and another at Icklingham; several
used to be known to breed near Thetford, and it occurred there
so late as 1832; one, a female, was shot at Congham in the
autumn of 1831, near which place one was formerly obtained
also; one near Winterton, and one, a male, near Norwich;
as many as eleven have been formerly seen together near Gayton;
three females had nests and eggs at Great Massingham, in
the spring of 1832; a small flock of females was seen for
some years in that county, the last of which was shot at
Lexham, near Swaffham, towards the end of the year 1838;
one had a nest at Eldon, and her two eggs being taken and
placed under a hen, produced two male birds; another, also a
female, was shot at Dersingham, near Lynn, early in the year
1838. In Berkshire they used to be met with on Lambourne
Downs, up to 1802. In Oxfordshire, one, a female, was shot
by Mr. Aldworth, a farmer, at Garsington, in November, 1835;
another was said to have been killed on Denton Common in
December, 1830.

In Yorkshire these great birds were formerly met with,
and used to breed on the East-Biding Wolds; Henry Woodall,
Esq., of North Dalton, has informed me that in the year
1816 or 1817 James Dowker, Esq., of that place, killed two
near there with a right and left shot, and saw a third I believe
at the same time; a nest that had been forsaken was also
found, with one egg in it, which is now in the Scarborough
Museum; one of the birds shot was presented to His Majesty
King George the Third, through the late Dr. Blomberg; eight
were seen together in one field about the same date: E. H.
Hebden, Esq., of Scarborough, has also informed me of his
having seen five Bustards on Flixton Wold about the year
1811, and they remained there at least two }rears, when two
of them were shot; the other three still continued there for
another year or more, when two of them disappeared, leaving
the solitary bird, which after a length of time was shot near
Hun man by by the gamekeeper of Sir William Strickland, and
found a few days afterwards by the huntsman of the Scar-
borough Harriers; one was also shot near Mai ton, the Wolds
near which town they used to frequent; one was shot near
Bighton.

In an old History of Northamptonshire it is mentioned

GEEAT BUSTAKD. O

that the Great Bustard was at one time common in that county;
so it doubtless was on the Lincolnshire Wolds, but it is now
extinct as an inhabitant. Dr. Plomley records in the 'Zoologist,'
page 2700, the occurrence of one, a female, at Lydd, on
Romney Marsh, Kent, January 4th., 1850, and the species
would appear, he says, to have been not uncommon there
formerly. In Devonshire one is recorded by John G-atcombe,
Esq., in 'The Naturalist,' vol. ii, pa^e 33, as having been
shot on December 31st., 1851, at Millaton Bridestowe. In
Cornwall one was met with the beginning of 1843, on the
open moor country between Helston and the Lizard Point;
it was a female.

In Scotland it was formerly met with, but Sir Eobert Sibbald
mentions it as being rare in his day; one was shot in
Morayshire in 1803, by W. Young, Esq., of Boroughead.

In Ireland it was enumerated by Smith in 1749 as one of
the birds of the county of Cork, but it has long since become
extinct there, as well as now in this part of the kingdom. If
some feathered 'Rip Van Winkle' of the 'good old times'
could revisit the scenes he frequented in the 'days that are
gone,' he would so little recognise them as the same, that he
would not wonder that none of his kind were still to be
found in haunts now rendered so unsuitable to them.

The Bustard has been domesticated, but is said to continue
fierce towards strangers, and not to breed in confinement.
It is naturally a wild bird, and frequents in winter open
barren places, from whence it is only compelled by stress of
severe weather, when the snow is deep, to approach nearer
to country villages; in the summer, however, the nest being
placed in cultivated places, where the young are brought up,
they and the dams find their living among corn. The males
are polygamous, and leave the females as soon as the task of
incubation commences, both then living separate for a few
weeks. The young families unite together in the autumn,
and in winter congregate still more, forming flocks of from
four or five to about forty or fifty, or even, it is said, a
couple of hundreds; in the spring they again separate. These
birds are very fine eating, the young especially, at about a
year old. In the spring the males, in small parties of throe
or four, strut about, with drooped wings and spread set-up
tails, shewing themselves off to excite admiration.

In flight their wings are moved slowly, but if suddenly
disturbed it would appear that they rise suddenly to a height

SI GEEAT BTJSTABD.

of forty or fifty feet, and then, after a few rapid strokes, sail
away. When flushed they perform flights of two miles or
more without difficulty, at a height of about a hundred yards,
and their migrations testify that they are capable of much
more extended peregrinations. They do not run to escape
danger. The wings are not closed immediately on alighting.

Graminivorous birds, they feed on grasses, clover, turnip
tops, and various vegetables, corn, barley, both the ears and
leaves, and other grain, and beetles; Rennie adds worms, frogs,
mice, and young birds to the catalogue: small stones are
swallowed to grind up the food. The young are fed with insects.

The bare earth is laid upon. 'It is said that the Great
Bustard will forsake her nest, if only once driven from it by
apprehension of danger; but when the eggs are laid, and still
more when the young are produced, it is only repeated meddling
with them that will induce the parents to forsake them.'

The eggs, two in number, are of an olive brown colour, blotted
with pale ferruginous and ash-coloured spots.

Male; weight, as much as twenty-eight or thirty pounds;
length, three feet nine inches; bill, brown; iris, reddish brown.
Head on the centre of the crown, chesnut, variegated with
black, on the sides, white; neck on the back, light greyish,
on the sides, white; about the shoulders a soft grey down takes
the place of feathers; nape, pale chesnut, barred with black;
chin, white; underneath it a plume of narrow feathers about
seven inches long falls backward, partly covering a strip of
bluish grey skin on the front and sides of the neck; throat
above, white, below, pale chesnut orange, as is the upper part
of the breast, which then below is white; the feathers have a
pink tinge at the base; back, pale chesnut orange, barred and
variegated with black; the base of these feathers also is of a
delicate rose tint.

The wings have the first quill feather shorter than the second,
the second shorter than the third and fourth, which are the
longest in the wing; they extend to as much, in the fullest-
sized birds, as seven feet three inches; greater and lesser wing
coverts, partly white and partly chesnut brown, barred with
black; primaries, brownish black, the shafts white; secondaries,
greyish white; tertiaries, chesnut brown, barred with black.
The tail, rounded at the end, and of twenty feathers, is white
at the base, then pale chesnut, tipped with white and barred
with black, the two outer feathers greyish white, almost pure
white at the base, with two or three small bars of black, near

GEEAT BrSIAED. O

which they are tinted with reddish orange; underneath it is
barred with dusky grey, upper tail coverts, pale chesnut, barred
with black; under tail coverts, white. The legs, covered with
round scales, toes, and claws, blackish, the latter three in
number.

Female; length, three feet; the head and neck are of a deeper
grey, nape, reddish orange; the chin is without the plume
until the bird is of mature age — three or four years old, and
then it is said to appear, but less developed than in the male.

The young at first are covered with buff-coloured down,
barred on the back, wings, and sides with black.

The plate is from a beautiful drawing obligingly made for
this work by John Gat combe, Esq., of Plymouth,

LITTLE BUSTARD.

LESSEE ETJSTAED.
Otis terrax, Pennant. Montagu.
Otis— A Bustard. Tttrax— ?

The great deserts of Tartary are among the principal
strongholds of these birds, and there vast nomade tribes of
them are to be seen, wandering thence in various directions
to the district of the Caucasus, and especially towards the
Caspian Sea, the south and south-west of Russia, and the
south of Siberia, Turkey, and Greece, and some are found also
in Italy, Sardinia, and Spain. They likewise are natives of
the north of Africa, and of Asia.

A good many instances of the occurrence of this bird
have been recorded, all of them in the winter half of the
year. In Yorkshire one was shot January 14th., 1854, at
Goodmanham, near Market Weighton, by the Rev. W. Blow;
another, formerly, on the Wolds, and one at Boythorpe, also
in the East Riding, early in 1839; one near Beverley; and
in the winter of 1814-15 two were seen near Flamborough,
one of which was killed. In Northumberland two, one near
Warkworth in the autumn of 1821, and the other near Twizell
the 1st. of February, 1823. In Hampshire one at Heron
Court, near Christchurch, the seat of Lord Malmesbury. In
Essex one at Harwich in January, 1823, one at Little Clacton
in the winter of 1824, and one several years since at Writtle,
near Chelmsford. In Norfolk several have occurred, one, as
Mr. Robert Drane informs me, between Yarmouth and Win-
terton, about the 30th. of December, 1853; it was imagined
to be 'some sort of Cochin-China Guinea-fowl;' also others in
Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. One was shot, as William

LITTLE BUSTAPtD. /

Hewet, Esq., of Reading, has obligingly informed me, in
1849 on Mr. Deane's farm (English) in Oxfordshire; one was
also shot on Denton Common in December, 1833; one at
Boshan, near Chichester, Sussex, in 1852, of which A. Fuller,
Esq. has written me word; and two near Birmingham, War-
wickshire, in October, 1S39. In Cornwall, some half a dozen
specimens have occurred — one in December, 1853. In Kent
one, at Chatham, in January, 1834. Others in Devonshire.

In Scotland one is related to have been obtained near
Montrose in December, 1833, the only 'Legend of Montrose'
or of Scotland respecting the species in that part of the island.

In Ireland the late William Thompson, Esq., of Belfast,
mentions that two were seen in the county of Wicklow on
the 23rd. of August, 1833, and that one of them was shot.

They inhabit champaign countries, both waste and cultivated,
and are fine birds to eat. The male is polygamous.

They fly, if suddenly alarmed, with great speed and power
for a distance of fifty or a hundred yards, raised but a little
above the surface of the ground, and on alighting, are said to
run with swiftness. If several are in company they are very
wary.

They feed on grain, grasses, and various vegetables, dandelions,
clover, turnips, and other sorts, as also on insects.

Meyer likens the note to the syllable 'proot,' and says that
it is most heard at night, and that the young chirp like
chickens.

The nest is on the ground — a mere hollow, under the shelter
of any sufficiently high herbage that may be proximate.

The eggs are said to be from three to five in number, olive
brown in colour, sometimes varied with patches of a darker
shade of brown.

Male; weight, twenty- five ounces; length, about one foot five
inches; bill, brown; iris, golden yellow; behind it is a bare
space. Head on the crown, pale chesnut, mottled with black;
on the sides, bluish grey, neck in front, and on the sides,
bluish grey, bounded below with a border of black passing
to the back of the neck; that is succeeded by a narrow white
ring, and this again by a broad band of black; beneath this
is a gorget of white, followed by another of black. In
winter the neck is pale chesnut, marked with black. Breast,
white, the down at the base of the feathers pale rose-colour.
Back, pale chesnut, streaked irregularly with numerous narrow
lines of black.

8 TATTLE BUSTARD.

The wings, which do not reach to the end of the tail, have
the first quill feather about an inch shorter than the second,
which is as long as the third, and both longer than the fourth,
and the longest in the wing. Greater and lesser wing coverts,
white; primaries, white at the base, the remainder greyish black;
secondaries, patched vith black and white; tertiaries, pale
chesnut brown, streaked irregularly with numerous narrow lines
of black. The tail is of eighteen feathers, white at the base,
and barred with two narrow black bars, the ends mottled with
black and buff white, the tips white; upper tail coverts, pale
chesnut, streaked irregularly with numerous narrow lines of
black. Legs, toes, and claws, brown.

Female; head, crown, and neck, pale chesnut, mottled and
streaked with black; chin, white; breast, marked with short
bars of black; greater and lesser wing coverts, partly white.

MACQUEEtt'S BUSTARD.

MACQUEEN'S BUSTARD.

RUFFED BUSTAKD.

Otis macqueen:it GRAY.

Otis— A Bustard. 3facqueenii—0f Macqueen.

This species has been confounded with the Houbara or
Ruffed Bustard, but the length of the wings, which in the
present one reach quite to the end of the tail, at once dis-
tinguishes them.

The only British, or, I believe, European specimen of this
Bustard at present on record, was *>not at Kirton in Lindsay,
Lincolnshire, on the 7th. of October, 1847, by Mr. George
Hansley; it is now in the Rudston Bead collection of British
Birds in the York Museum, where I have seen it. A very
excellent likeness, with an account of it, is given in 'The
Naturalist/ vol. ii., page 89, by my brother, Beverley R.
Morris, Esq.

Macqueen's Bustard is so very closely allied to the Houbara,
that I should suppose that both are to be found in the same
districts. The latter, as those who have read the second
volume of Mr. Layard's deeply interesting 'Nineveh and its
Remains' will at once recall to mind, is very plentiful in
Arabia and on the wide plains of Messapotamia, where the
wandering tribes hunt them with Hawks trained for the
purpose. Doubtless they are to be met with likewise in the
more northern regions where the renowned llippomolgians
find pasture for the noble animals who are their all. Glorious
scenes are those eastern lands, and wonderful as are the
monuments of three thousand years antiquity which there
bring, as it were, the departed Assyrians again before us to
admire their vast and so enduring works, still more striking

10 macqtteen's bustahd,

and still more ancient in their origin are the natural beauties
which spread before the gazer as far as the eye can reach.
Those vast plains, the native place of the Bustard, and the
very garden of flowers, vie in gorgeous beauty with the
richest products of the looms of Cashmere, and leave their
famed rivalry far behind. If the small pattern gives but a
faint idea of the 'tout ensemble/ size itself being a feature
that attracts and pleases, how is it when both the smallest
flower that takes its modest place in the great carpet of
nature, and the immense bespangled tapestry itself, each, as
a part, and as the whole, challenges all competition, and
distances every thought of approach; 'Solonion in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these.'

The sun above in unclouded splendour walks through the
sky, and flashes below from the cup of every flower and from
every blade of grass; the scent of aromatic herbs and sweet-
smelling blossoms enrich the undisturbed air; sublime stillness
reigns around, and a perfect calm pervades the wide solitude.
Nature there provides a succession of colours, such as can
probably nowhere else be matched. One day admiration ranges
over the level land dight with flowers of a golden yellow,
which, almost in a night, give place to new ones of the
deepest blue; these are followed by others of a variety of
hues, with which the face of the country is carpeted anew.
Again, a bright scarlet bedecks the meadow, and is followed
by the emerald green of the luxuriant pasture, itself in its
turn studded afresh with single gems of varied brilliancy. Once
more the plain is enriched with the gayest purple, or bright
with burnished gold, and then the greensward is flowered with
a gorgeous display of embroidery, whose spangles enamel its
bosom with a rare mosaic, such as mortal craftsmen cannot
fabricate the likeness of.

Or if you change the scene, and follow the bank of the
winding Tigris, at one season the odour of orange blossoms
fills the air, and at another clusters of golden fruit hang from
the branches; vast groves of Feathered Palms bound the distant
horizon; here all is clouded with a purple shadow, and there
all glitters with reflected tints in the rays of the setting sun.
Then the awful stillness that pervades the vast expanse is
broken by the wild cry of some bird of night, or the howl
of some roaring beast roused from its lair, and then at last
all once more is still. But, glory be to God, morning comes
again, and again you move on, and by the shore of some

MACQTTEEN's "RrSTAED. 11

unexpected inland lake, whose quiet waters throw back the
shadows of the neighbouring low hills, and glisten farther off
with the beams of the 'Rising Sun,' the snowy Egret, with
its graceful crest, the stately Crane, and the 'Pelican of the
wilderness,' stand side by side, White Herons watch motionless
at the margin, and variegated wildfowl float lazily upon the
crystal surface: you stretch off into the desert, and now the
Bustard springs up from your feet.

Much does Mr. Layard's 'Nineveh and Babylon' make one
long to follow him in his wanderings in those countries of
wonder, as it has led me to wander with him in thought,
and at the same time from my subject, to which I must return,
and give the description of the bird before us.

It occurs from the Himalaya Mountains to Siberia.

The specimen, Mr. Alfred Eoberts informs me, was very wild.

He found that it had fed on caterpillars, beetles, and small
snails.

Female; weight, two pounds and a quarter; length, one
foot eleven inches; bill, dark lead-colour, compressed at the
tip, depressed at the base; iris, yellow. Head and crown, pale
rufous, mottled with black; neck on the back, white, minutely
mottled with brown; on the sides ornamented with a range
of feathers two inches long, about two thirds of the upper
portion black, the lower part white; chin, white; throat, pale
rufous, mottled with zigzag black bars. The wings extend when
closed to the end of the tail; they expand to the width of
three feet eight inches; greater and lesser wing coverts, pale
rufous, mottled with zigzag black bars; primaries, black; the
legs, which are bare of feathers a little above the knee, and
toes, greenish yellow.

12

PRATINCOLE.

COLLATED PRATINCOLE. AUSTRIAN PRATINCOLE.

Glareola torquata, Meyer.

" auatriaca, Latham.

Hirundo marina, R.\Y.

" pratincola, LlNN^EUS. GMELIN.

Glareola — ? Torquata — ?

The Pratincole is abundant on the continent of Europe
in Hungary, Dalmatia, Turkey, and Sclavonia; and is met with
in Germany, France, Switzerland, Sardinia, and Italy. In Asia
it is common in Tartary, and in the region between the Black
Sea and the Caspian Sea.

In this country, in 'Yorkshire to wit,' one was obtained in
May, 1844, on Staxton Wold, near Scarborough, as recorded
by W. M. E. Milner, Esq., M. P., in the 'Zoologist,' page
2023. It was at the time in company with a flock of Dotterels.
One in Northumberland, at Bedlington, the beginning of
February, 1850. In Devonshire two were seen by the Hon.
T. L. Powys, and W. W. Butler, Esq., at the mouth of the
Eiver Exe, on the 7th. of September, 1851. In Norfolk a
pair were shot on the Breydon-wall, in May, 1827. One was
killed near Liverpool, on the 18th. of May, 1804.

In Zetland one was shot in Uist, by Mr. M. Bullock, August
16th., 1815.

Sandy places, near water, are its natural haunt, and low
meadows, where doubtless its insect food abounds.

They migrate in spring and autumn, moving in large bodies
of several companies, and when resting by the way here and
there, on a note of alarm from one of the body they all take
wing, and after circling about once or twice, go on their way.
They are sometimes seen on the sea-shore, when awaiting the

PBATHS"COLE. 13

arrival of part of the flock on their migrations. 'By the
beginning of August, the young fly about with the adult birds;
the parents being very much attached to their brood, accompany
them until the beginning of September, when they one and
all think of returning and going southward for the winter.'

They are capable of being easily tamed. In their wild
state they are restless, lively, sociable, that is among themselves,
for they rarely associate with other species. 'Where they
meet with suitable ground, they remain for some time in the
neighbourhood, flying away in a body and often returning again
in a moment, to the great surprise of the beholder who may
happen to have startled them up.' If alarmed when feeding,
they strike the tail two or three times against the ground,
and soon after take wing.

They fly with extraordinary rapidity, and their evolutions
in the air are exceedingly graceful, quick, and beautiful, and
they also run very fast. 'When a flight of them passes
through the air within sight, they proceed very swiftly, and,
on lowering to alight they shoot like arrows by one another;
finally they once more open their wings to their full length
and highly raised, and then settle, rather closely spread over
the ground.'

They take their food on the wing, hawking about after the
manner of the Swallows, and also on the ground, from whence
they spring into the air to catch their prey. They live on
flies, gnats, cockchafFers, and other beetles, grasshoppers, and
other insects and worms. The larger sorts they knock against
the ground with their bills, to kill, and to dislodge the harder
parts.

Meyer says, 'the call-note sounds like the word 'carjah,'
'carjah,' and 'bedra?,' 'bedrae,' very quickly expressed.'

A slight depression in the soil serves for a nest, or it is
placed, Selby says, among rushes or other thick herbage.
Many nests are often made not far from each other.

The eggs, four in number, are spotted with brown.

Male; length, from about nine inches to ten and a quarter,
or even ten and a half or over, according to the age of the
bird, the tail being shorter at first; bill, somewhat hooked,
ihort, and broad at the base, black, the Bides and the base
of the lower mandible, which is shorter than the upper, and
received into it, scarlet orange, brightest in spring. The bill
is Bmaller in young birds. [ris, light reddish brown, the
eyelids clothed with small white feathers; a black line runs to

14 PRATINCOLE.

and behind it, from the base of the bill. The eye is placed
rather far back in the head. Forehead, flat ; crown, dark
yellowish or reddish brown. The neck, short and full, in front
pale reddish white or buff, bounded by a narrow distinct
stripe of velvet black, which proceeds upwards as a collar, and
joins the black streak between the bill and the eyes; nape, dark
yellowish brown, with a greenish metallic lustre; chin and
throat, pale reddish white or buff, the former the palest;
breast above, pale brownish yellow, on the lower part white;
back dark, yellowish brown, with a greenish metallic lustre,
on the lower part orange brown.

Wings, very long and narrow, the first feather the longest ,
greater and lesser wing coverts, dark yellowish brown, with
a greenish metallic lustre; primaries, brownish black, the shaft
of the fi^st broad and yellowish white; secondaries, paler;
tertiaries, dark yellowish brown, with a greenish metallic lustre;
greater r id lesser under wing coverts, partly brown, and partly
bright ferruginous.

The tail, long and much forked, the inner half white, the
rest blackish brown, the centre feathers almost wholly black;
the white increases on every feather towards the outside. The
two outer feathers are nearly two inches and a half longer
than the rest, the outer one very slender; upper and under
tail coverts, white. Legs, long, bare above the knee, and,
as the toes, clear brownish purple red; claws, dusky black,
and slightly bent, the middle one long, and somewhat pectinated.

The general texture of the feathers is silky, fine, and close.

The female nearly resembles the male.

The young have the head, crown, neck, and nape, brown,
with reddish brown edges to the feathers; throat, pale brown,
the band only indicated by a few dusky brown spots; breast,
clouded with brown and dusky, below a mixture of grey
and white.

COURSER.

15

COURSER.

CBEA^I-COLOTJEED COTTESEE. CEEAltf-COLOUEED PLOVER
CREAM-COLOURED SWIFTFOOT.

Cursorius Europcens, MONTAGU. BEWICK.

" IsabellmuSf Fleming. Selby.

Cursorius. Curro — To run. Eurapaus — European.

This elegant bird is a native of Africa, and most plentiful,
it is said, in Abyssinia. A few specimens have occurred in
France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

One was shot near "Wetherby, in the West-Riding of
Yorkshire, in April, 1316; a second by the gamekeeper of
Lord Harewood in 1825; and a third by the keeper of the
Hon. Charles Stourton, of Holme, near Market Weighton,
in the East-Riding; one in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire,
on the 15th. of October, 1827. It was the last bird figured
by Bewick! In 1793 one was shot in North Wales, by
George Kingston, Esq., of Queen's College, Oxford; another
was killed near Wingham, Kent, by William Hammond, Esq.,
of St. Alban's Court.

It appears to be by no means shy.

This species, as denoted by its name, indeed by each of them,
'mutato nomine,' runs with extreme celerity, and also flies
with great power.

Male; length, ten inches; bill, pale brown at the base,
nearly black at the tip, and arched; iris, pale yellowish grey;
over it is a white streak passing to the nape, below it from
the eye is a velvet black one, both meeting behind. Forehead
and crown, pale buff orange, the hinder part shading into
grey, below which is a triangular spot of black, met by the
line from each eye; the neck in front, pale reddish buff white;

1(5 COURSES.

behind, and the nape, pale brown, tinged with reddish buff;
chin, white; throat and breast, pale reddish or buff white,
the latter paler on the lower part; back, buff cream-colour
with a tinge of orange.

The wings have the first almost as long as the second
Feather, which is the longest in the wing; greater and lesser
wing coverts, buff cream-colour; primaries, brownish, black,
glossed with purple, as are the outer secondaries; inner
secondaries and tertiaries, buff colour. The tail feathers, except
the two middle ones, have an angular black spot near the
end, but occupying the inner web only on the outer feather,
the ends of all nearly white; under tail coverts, nearly white.
The legs, which are long, and bare of feathers half an inch
above the knee, and the toes, which are short, cream-colour;
claws, blackish brown; that of the middle toe is pectinated,
and the outer one is united to it by a rather broad membrane,
the inner one by a smaller one; the soles and joints grey.

The plumage is soft and close.

The female resembles the male.

The young have the lines over the eye not very distinct;
back, clouded with two shades of brown; the primaries edged
on the inner web with buff.

,REAT PLOVER.

17

GREAT PLOVER.

NORFOLK PLOYEE. THICK-KNEED BUSTAED.
STONE CUELEW. WHISTLING PLOYEE. STONE PLOYEE.
THICK-KNEE. COMMON THICK-KNEE.

CEdicnemus crepitans, Selby. Jenyns.

u Bellonii, Fleming.

Charadrius crepitans, Montagu. Bewick.

" cedicnemus, Linnaeus. Gmelin.

Otis cedicnemus, Pennant. Latham.

CEdicnemus, Oideo — To swell. Kneme— The leg or thigh.

Crep itans — Crackling.

In Europe this species is plentiful in Turkey, part of Siberia,
Germany, France, Spain, Greece, and Italy, uncommon in
Switzerland and Holland, and from thence it extends in its
range, by Sardinia and other islands of the Mediterranean, to
the north of Africa, and thence again to the south of that
great continent, even to the Cape; it likewise occurs in Abys-
sinia, Nubia, and Egypt. In Asia it is found in Asia Minor,
and on the plains between the Black Sea and the Caspian
Sea, also in Arabia, Persia, the East Indies, and Syria.

It is most abundant on the eastern side of our island, partic-
ularly, as imported by one of its names, in the county of
Norfolk. In Yorkshire it breeds about Rossington, and other
places near Doncaster; also near Scarborough. It used to do
so regularly on the wolds, but never abundantly in more recent
tunes. In Cornwall it is rare, but has occurred near Gwyllyn
Vase; one also in the parish of St. Lev an, near the Land's
End; others in Devonshire and Lancashire. In Bedfordshire
one was met with on Mar^h 29th., 1851. In Oxfordshire
it has been known near Henley-on-Thames; also in Dorsetshire.
vol. v. C

18 GREAT PLOVEE.

In Ireland one was procured in the county of Waterford, and
one in the county of Wexford, which was shot near Growtown,
by Travers Hawkshaw, Esq., of Hilburn House.

The Thick-knee haunts wide open spaces, commons, warrens,
heaths, sandy flats, such as chiefly border upon the sea coast,
uncultivated wastes, and sheep-walks, seeming to prefer districts
where the soil is poor, and in default of these, the larger
fields, fallows, and turnip grounds.

This fine bird I have repeatedly seen on the top of the barren
hill between Lyme Eegis and Charmouth, Dorsetshire. Many
a 'stalk,' when a boy, have I had after him, but he always
managed to out-general me by keeping his sentry-box in the
middle of the open field, or resorting to that vantage-ground
on the least symptom of danger.

The Eev. E. P. Alington tells me that it used to be common
near Swinhope, in Lincolnshire, as it was in other parts of
that county, but that it has become much more rare from the
enclosing of the country. A nest was taken in 1852, in Kingly
Vale, near Chichester, Sussex, as I am informed by Mr. George
Jackson, of that place. It is not uncommon in that county,
as also in Hampshire, about Selborne; Kent, Essex, Suffolk,
Worcestershire, and Cambridgeshire, — in the last-named only
occasionally. The Eev. Dr. Thackeray obtained a young one
bred near Cambridge. In some parts of Surrey they are not
uncommon.

One was obtained close to the town of Cambridge, in October,
1853, as Thomas George Bonney, Esq., of St. John's College,
informs me. Several have been obtained in the winter months
in the Land's End district, in Cornwall, one in the beginning
of February near Falmouth, and one at the Land's End, in
January, 1848; one near Penzance, about the 24th. of December,
18 11. In Leicestershire, James Harley, Esq., of Leicester,
writes me word that it is a regular summer visitant, but only
very locally distributed, namely, on the north-east side of the
county, abutting on Lincolnshire.

Birds of passage, they arrive here in March and April, or
the beginning of May; and depart again usually by the end
of September or October, in flocks of as many as forty or
fifty, but some few continue longer. They repair to the same
annually: they migrate by night. One was shot the first
in February, 1852, as Mr. F. W. Stears has informed
me, at Roos, in Holderness; and in the same month, in 1807,
one was killed in Devonshire, as recorded by Montagu; the

GEEAT PLOVER. 19

Rev. Gilbert White, too, records that in 1788, he heard one
on the 27th. of February. One was shot near Thetford, in
Norfolk, the 9th. of December, 1834, by Mr. J. D. Salmon;
and another at Ludham, on the 15th. of December, 1816.

In general they are seen singly, or at the most in pairs,
in spring. They migrate in the autumn in the small numbers
of the respective families. They repair to water every evening
to drink and to wash themselves. They are easily tamed, and
kept in gardens, and seem to become attached to their keepers,
and are said to live to a great age: naturallv they are very
wild and shy.

William Hewet, Esq., of Reading, has sent me several
particulars of these birds. The young, even when fledged, will
squat, and allow themselves to be picked up. If disturbed
from the nest, the parent runs off very swiftly with the head
stooped. The young ones are very good eating, but the old
birds are dry and tough.

They fly swiftly on occasion, and with much power, but
low, though often at a considerable height during the night;
they also run extremely fast. The legs are held out behind
in flight. In the day-time they generally lie at rest near
some stone, clod, or other sheltering projection, or stand on
one leg with the head buried in the feathers.

They feed on beetles and other insects, worms and slugs,
and swallow pieces of stone to aid digestion.

Their cry may be heard sometimes through a summer's night
from the fallow fields, and there is something peculiarly striking
in their wild wail; so at least I used to deem it: 'Sweet was
the music to my ear' in the 'joyous days of old.' Buffon
renders it by the word 'turrlui,' and Meyer by 'clit,' 'dillit,'
and 'kraeeet,' which latter it utters chiefly during the evening
and night when on the wing, and but rarely in the day. It
is also rendered by the syllables 'cur-lew,' whence one of its
vernacular names; the other I suppose, being derived from its
frequenting stony places.

The bare earth is the nest, among weather-worn stones. The
male appears to sit as well as the female, the time of incubation
being sixteen or seventeen days. The young are led about by
the female almost as soon as hatched, that is to say, on the
day following their birth; at first the old birds take great
care of them.

The eggs are pale brown, blotted, spotted, and streaked with
greyish blue and dark brown, assimilating closely in appearance

20 GREAT PLOVER.

to the grey flints that surround them, thus being very difficult
to detect. They are generally two in number, but sometimes,
it is said, three; the third being for the most part not hatched.
They vary in size and colour, some being a dull yellow, and
the spots much less clearly defined than in others.

Male; weight, about seventeen ounces; length, one foot
five or six inches; bill, dusky black at the point, the rest
greenish yellow; from the base of the upper mandible a light-
coloured streak passes backward under the eye, and from the
base of the lower one a brown one underneath. Iris, large
and prominent, golden yellow — a dark line encircles it; behind
it is a small space bare of feathers of a yellowish green, mostly
concealed by the ear coverts. Head, large and thick, on the
sides white; on the crown, neck on the back, and nape, pale
tawny brown, each feather with a streak of black in the centre;
the neck in front, pale brownish white, each feather streaked
along the centre with blackish brown. Chin and throat, white;
breast, nearly white, but yellowish, the feathers streaked with
blackish brown. Back, pale tawny brown, each feather with
a blackish brown longitudinal streak.

The wings have the first and second quills nearly equal in
length, and the longest in the wing; greater and lesser wing
coverts, pale tawny brown, each feather with a brownish black
line along the shaft; primaries and secondaries, nearly black,
the first and second with a broad white patch towards
the end across each web, the former the larger — the seventh,
and eighth slightly tipped with white; tertiaries, pale brown,
each feather with a brownish black line by the shaft. The
tail, of twelve feathers and wedge-shaped, is on the inner half
mottled with two shades of brown, the third part reddish white,
with bent bars, and the end black; the outside feathers shorter
than the middle ones, which are not tipped wTith black. The
three outermost feathers the lightest coloured, and the bars
darker. Upper tail coverts, pale brown, with a dark mark by
the shaft of each feather; under tail coverts, buff white. The
legs, winch are long, and toes, yellow, with a greyish tinge —
the outer toe is connected with the middle one as far as the
first joint by a membrane; claws, nearly black.

The female resembles the male bird. The legs thick below
the knee joint.

The young are at first covered with a variegated grey down,
which gradually gives way to the proper plumage.

GOLDEN PLOVER.

WHISTLING PLOVER. YELLOW PLOVER. GREEN PLOVEB.

Charadrius pluvialis, Pennant. Montagu.

" Africanus, LlNNJiUS.

Charadrius ? Pluvialis— Rainy, pertaining to rain.

The name of the Plover is derived from the French 'Pluvier,'
as that again is from the Latin, as assigned as the specific
designation of the bird before us.

It occurs in Europe in Eussia, Sweden, Lapland, Norway,
Holland, France, Germany, and Sardinia; and visits in summer
the Ferroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland; and towards winter,
France, Italy, and Sardinia, and North Africa. It also frequents
the regions between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

In Yorkshire, they are plentiful in the parish of Nafferton,
and all over the wolds; are common also about Sheffield, and
the moors about Meltham, where they breed; also on the moors
near Barnsley, are occasionally met with on Whin Moor, near
Leeds, and in the neighbourhood of Halifax they breed sparingly
on the high moors, and are met at Hambleton, and at times
in small numbers on the sea-shore in winter. In Cambridgeshire
they are common in the fens. In Cornwall also, Gwyllyn Vase,
Swanpool, and in other parts. They breed on Dartmoor,
Devonshire, as James Dalton, Esq., of Worcester College,
Oxford, nas informed me.

In Scotland, they are exceedingly abundant, especially, as
might be supposed, in Sutherlandshire, and there about Lairg,
Durness, Tongue, and Scourie; also in Forfarshire, and on the
Cheviot Hills, and in other suitable situations. In the Hebrides
they are likewise vastly abundant, and are plentiful in Shetland
and Orkney, where they appear in flocks of thousands. A great

22 GOLDEN" PLOVEB.

number leave in spring, yet a good many remain during summer
to breed.

In Ireland they are likewise common.

Golden Plovers associate in the autumn in flocks of very
large extent, and are then found on moors, downs, and heaths,
and in any large fields, dispersing again early in spring, generally
in February, but some are seen in April, retiring to breed in
May. They have been noticed, however, in Norfolk so late
as the 25th. of that month. They arrive in large numbers
in November, and even in August and" September, some
beginning to flock together in the former month. Thus, though
indigenous here, they are in some degree migratory. Their
movements for the most part take place in the night. They
breed in bogs and undrained hills, and are then hardly ever
seen except in pairs; at other times of the year they chiefly
frequent open fields, heaths, moors, and downs, and in severe
weather resort to the sea-coast.

The old birds display the customary anxiety in endeavouring
to protect their brood; practising every device to allure away
the enemy — tumbling over as if unable to fly, or feigning
lameness. The female also sits long on the nest, and if sue
leaves it, takes the precaution of running off to some distance
before taking wing. They are exceedingly good eating, and are
sold in numbers for the table, many being often killed at a
single shot as they wheel by — two or three, five or six, or
even as many as fourteen, as has been known, W. Hewet, Esq.
tells me. They are capable of being kept in confinement.
They roost on the ground under the shelter of some tuft
during the depth of the night, or in the middle of the day.

In their flight, which is very swift and strong, they often
sweep down close to the ground, and then suddenly rise up
in the air, turning and twisting continually round and round
before settling. During the day-time, as they feed at night,
they either sit on the ground, for the most part, or stand
in a state of repose, with the head drawn down between the
shoulders. They run with great velocity, now and then
stepping on to any elevation to look about.

They feed on insects of various kinds, caterpillars, worms,
and slugs; wheat in the green state, running up and down
the furrows to pick it up, or other vegetables and small
berries.

The wild whistle of the Plover, a wailing note, is exceedingly
pleasant to those who have a relish for country sounds, and

GOLDEN PLOVEE. 23

who find an adlitional piquancy in those that are more wild.
He that can say 'My mind to me a kingdom is,' is in no
danger of being made melancholy by any sound in nature.
In the evening and at night, you may hear it. It has at
times a ventriloquistic power, and is very deceptive. A skilful
imitation of their cry will decoy them to you. In the spring
season a more varied note is used, during which the bird flies
at a great elevation, and continues soaring about for a con-
siderable time. Meyer likens the note to the words 'tluwee,
tluwee,' uttered at a high pitch, and considerably loud.

NidLfication commences about the end of May, or beginning
of June. The hen bird alone sits. Incubation lasts seventeen
days.

The nest, which I have never seen 'in situ,' is a very

inartificial structure, being merely a few stems of grass and

fibres laid together in some small hollow of the ground, only

• just large enough to contain them; what there is, is made

the end of May or beginning of June.

The eggs, four in number usually, are of a yellowish stone-
colour, blotted and spotted with brownish black. They are
placed quatrefoil — with the small ends pointed together
inwards.

The young 'quit the nest as soon as hatched, and follow
their parents till able to fly and support themselves, which
is in the course of a month or five weeks.'

Male; weight, between seven and eight ounces; length, from
ten and a half to eleven inches and a half; bill, black; iris,
dark brown, nearly black — the space between it and the eye,
deep black — over it white. On the forehead is a band of
nearly pure white in summer, which in winter is yellowish
white, streaked and spotted with pale brown and grey. Head
on the sides, greyish brown; on the crown, neck on the back,
and nape, greyish or brownish black, with purple reflections
of a paler shade, and large yellow angular spots on the whole
edge and tip of each feather. Chin, neck on the sides, throat,
and breast, deep velvet black, in the form of a list, in summer,
with a band of white varying to yellow, and marbled with
black and pale brown on the sides and below the wing, the
feathers at the corner of which are also white below; in
winter the chin and throat are whitish; the breast, dusky
greyish white, tinged with dull yellow, and spotted and streaked
with darker grey. Before and after the breeding-season the
black and white plumages intermix. A bird has been seen

24 GOLDEN PLOVER.

in full summer plumage on the 22nd. of February. It is to
be noticed that some new black feathers are produced, while
others are changed by the black pigment from white to black;
the process being to be observed in all its gradations. Back,
deep blackish or greyish brown, darkest in summer, with the
yellow marks on the feathers.

The wings have the first feather the longest, the axillary
plume white in winter; greater and lesser wing coverts, greyish
black, with paler yellow angular spots at the edge of the
feathers, and in winter the greater coverts are tipped with
white; primaries and secondaries, dusky brown, the shafts
of the first five white on the anterior part; tertiaries, long,
greyish black, with angular-shaped yellow edges and tips to
the feathers. Tail, deep brown, paler towards the outside,
barred obliquely with yellow or greyish white and brownish
black, nearly meeting at the shaft; upper tail coverts, greyish
black, the feathers with angular yellow spots on their edges,
sometimes crossing them as bars; under tail coverts, white,
the side ones shaded with pale yellow, and obliquely barred
with brown. Legs and toes, black, deep grey in winter.

In the female the black is not so intense, and is partially
mixed with white, but she on the whole resembles the male.
Bill, black; throat, greyish white; under tail coverts, greyish
white; legs and toes, dark grey.

The young are at first covered with a beautiful party-coloured
down, of bright yellow and brown. They quit the nest as
soon as hatched.

The young the first year have the breast generally darker
than the old birds.

'The intermediate states of plumage in which they are
met with in autimn are often very beautiful, the under parts
being marbled with black, white, and pale king's yellow, which
blend softly together.'— Sir William Jardine.

The full summer plumage is assumed by the end of May.

1 ft

1

25

DOTTEREL.

DOTTEELL. UOTTEEEL PLOTEE.

Charadrius morineVus, Pennant. Montagu.

" Tataricus, Latham.

" Sibiricus, Gmelin.

Charadrius ? Morinellus — A diminutive of

Morio—K fool or dotard.

This species belongs to Europe, being found in Turkey,
Russia, Siberia, Lapland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and
Denmark; likewise in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and its
islands; Bohemia and Silesia; and in Holland, where it is rare.
It also appertains to Northern Asia, Persia, and Tartary, on
the vast Steppes of which country it is found in the vicinity
of the salt lakes and marshes of the desolate regions that
there exist.

The Dotterel has acquired the character of being a foolish
bird, and hence its English name from the word to dote, to
be fond or foolish, and its Latin one from the word Mono,
a foolish fellow. The only folly, however, that, so far as I
can see, the bird is guilty of, is that of permitting the near
approach of man, and this on the ungracious principle of
believing every one to be a rogue until you know him
to be honest, is certainly the opposite of worldly wisdom.
For myself, nevertheless, much as I have suffered more than
once from acting on the contrary supposition, I still prefer a
more unsophisticated maxim.

The bird was formerly supposed to imitate the actions of
the fowler, and so to fall into the trap, instead of providing
for its escape by a timely flight. Thus, Drayton, in his
Polyolbion —

*The Dotterel, which we think a very dainty dish,
Whose taking makes such sport as no man more can wish,

26 DOTTEREL.

For on you creep, or cower, or lie, or stoop, or go,
So, marking you with care, the apish bird doth do;
And acting every thing, doth never mark the net.'

Montagu observes, that when disturbed, it frequently raises
one wing up, which may perhaps have given rise to the
popular notion.

In Yorkshire these neat birds were formerly common on
the Wolds, as testified, 'exempli gratia/ by the house called
the 'Dotterel Inn,' erected, as Henry Eustatius Strickland,
Esq., of Apperley Court, near Tewkesbury, has informed me,
by one of the family, and the sign painted by Mrs. Strickland.

In my parish of Nafferton, a few are annually met with on
their passage to and fro; I have one of a pair which were
shot within a few hundred yards of the Yicarage, by Mr. John
Dickson, of this place, and by him presented to me; and
another, one of three killed at a shot, by a farm servant
of his, on the wold, above the village, in May, 1852. They
remain two or three weeks, resorting to the fallows and open
districts; very few, however, now come, compared with those
that used to visit these parts. They are occasionally met with
on the moors about Halifax, in spring and early summer, and
sometimes come to breed on the Marsden and Slaithwaite
Moors, are also rare near Sheffield, and very rare near Leeds,
as is not to be wondered at. One was shot at Staincross, near
Barnsley, in 1830. They are also met with in Derbyshire,
Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Suffolk, and
on the Mendip Hills, in Somersetshire, where they are said to
breed; and the Downs in "Wiltshire. About Swinhope, says
the Eev. E. P. Alington, Dotterels are local, arriving half-yearly
at particular spots, during their migration to breed. One
locality is at North Summer Coats, not far from the wintry
railway station of 'Great Coats,' on the estate of Henry
Alington Pye, Esq. In Dorsetshire, on Portland and near
Weymouth, John Garland, Esq. has informed me that a few
annually occur. In Norfolk it is rather rare. One, a male,
was killed near Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, the 9th. of May,
1850, by flying against the telegraph wires on the Eastern
Counties Railway; a female was shot on the following day
on Guyhirn Wash, and a pair on Bottisham Fen in May,
1851; others have been met with near Cambridge and Royston.
In Cornwall it is rare, but has occurred at Bar Point, Gwyllyn
Vase, and other places.

JDOTTEEEL. 27

They are found in the lake neighbourhood, in Westmoreland
and Cumberland, on Robinson Fell, Great Gavel, Whiteside,
Helvellyn, Whatson Dod, Great Dod, Saddleback, and Skiddaw;
also in Northumberland. In Devonshire they are very rare.
A pair were shot on the moor near Seaton Carew, in the
county of Durham, May the 10th., 1S53; and they have
been met with at Scremerston and Unthank, near Berwick.

In Scotland they occur and breed about Braemar, in
Aberdeenshire; also on the Grampian Hills, and in the county
of Elgin, Dumfriesshire, and other parts.

In Ireland they are rare.

In Orkney they make their appearance in September and
October, and again in spring for still more northern regions.
A pair bred in Hoy, in 1850. A ]arge flock appeared in South
Ronaldshay, in May, 1830.

They frequent open and exposed situations, heaths, barren
pastures, sheep walks, new-sown fields, and fallow grounds, on
their route to the lonely tops of the mountains on which they
breed, and where for the time they dwell among the mists
and clouds which so often envelope those lofty districts.

The Dotterel being only a cursory visitant, migrates to its
breeding grounds in spring, staying in places on the way, from
March until so late sometimes as the 20th. of May, or even
it is said the beginning of June, but generally the latter end
of April, and returning again the end of August, or beginning
of September; some are even later, staying till October or
November, but they are probably late hatched broods, or birds
that are on their way back from a further distance north.
They move forward in promiscuous bodies, without any
particular order. They halt at various stations on the way,
both going and coming, in Cambridgeshire and other counties,
but it may be that they do not stay in each so long as is
supposed, fresh arrivals not being distinguished as such, way
having been made for them by others, which had preceded
them and have moved on.

Many of these birds are shot for the sake of the wing
feathers, which are in considerable request for making artificial
flies. The birds themselves also are very fine eating. They
associate in small numbers, living very amicably together,
usually to the number of ten or twelve, sometimes more,
but in general the members of the family — only five or six
in all. They are often to be seen sitting on the ground in
their summer haunts, and, though usually so devoid of shyness,

23 DOTTEEEL.

display the natural anxiety of other birds for their young.
They are said to be fond of bathing, and to resort to water
early in the morning, or late in the evening for that purpose,
and to drink. They are also reported to be fond of dusting
themselves. They soon become tame in confinement, but do
not live long.

They both fly and run fast.

They feed on caterpillars, worms, slugs, grasshoppers, beetles,
and other insects, and also on some leaves of plants.

The note is soft and low, but somewhat shrill. Meyer
compares it to the words, <durr,' 'dutt,' and 'drew.'

Any small hollow in the ground serves for a nest, and it
is o-enerally near some stone or rock; a few lichens make its
'mossy bed.' The male assists the female in the work of
incubation, which lasts apparently for eighteen or twenty days.
The hen bird sits very close, and if disturbed only runs a
few yards off.

The eggs are three in number, seldom more. They are laid
from the end of May and the beginning of June, to the
end of June and even the beginning of July,

Male; weight, about four ounces, sometimes five, and Mr.
Yarrell mentions one six ounces and a half; length, nine inches
and a half; bill, nearly black; iris, brown; from it, and a
little in front, the dark brown of the head descends, and runs
down the side of the neck, ending in a point and meeting
again the dark brown of the head and back of the neck;
a band of white proceeds from the eye on each side, the two
meeting below the occiput. Forehead, in winter, white streaked
with brown; head on the sides, white; crown, neck on the
back, and nape, dark brown, each feather finely margined with
white in summer, and in winter with pale reddish brown ; chin
and throat, white; breast above, grey with yellowish edges to
the feathers in winter, succeeded by a band of white, which
is edged above and below with a dark line, then lower down,
rich orange chesnut brown, still lower black, and finally
cream- colour; the black is not so distinct in winter, and the
fine orange brown wanting. Back, greyish brown; the feathers
margined with pale buff orange.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; greater
and lesser wing coverts, greyish brown, edged with buff;
primaries, deep brown; the first with a broad white shaft, very
thick and strong; secondaries, deep brown with buff edges;
tertiaries, greyish brown edged with buff. Greater and lesser

DOTTEREL. 29

tinder wing coverts, greyish white. The tail, of twelve feathers,
and slightly wedge-shaped, is greyish brown; the centre ones
scarcely tipped with dull white, the three outside ones with
broader ends of white; legs and toes, dull greenish yellow;
claws, dusky black.

In the female the streak over the eye and sides of the
head are reddish white, with a few specks and lines of brown;
forehead white, streaked with brown; crown, brownish black;
the feathers edged with pale reddish brown. Neck and nape,
greyish ash-colour, tinged with pale orange brown; chin and
throat, reddish white, with a few specks and streaks of brown.
The band on the breast is not so distinct, and greyish white;
the orange brown much paler, and marbled and tinged with
greyish ash-colour; and the lower part mixed with white
feathers; back, brown tinged with grey; each feather being
deeply edged with pale orange brown. Tail, deep brown; the
two middle feathers margined near their tips with reddish white,
the rest having large white tips, the outermost feather with
its outer web white. Under tail coverts, reddish white.

In the young the bill is black; iris, dark brown; over the
eye is a broad band of buff orange; forehead, and sides of
the head, yellowish cream-colour, with small spots and streaks
of greyish brown; crown and back of the head, neck on the
back, and nape, dark brown, all more or less broadly edged
with buff orange; neck on the sides, buff orange. Breast,
grey, slightly tinged with reddish white, and marked on each
side with large spots of olive green; below white, spotted here
and there with greyish brown. Greater and lesser wing coverts,
olive green, deeply edged with reddish white. Tail, olive
green, the feathers margined with white, the centre ones
tipped with reddish white, and the three side ones ending in
a large irregular whitish spot. Legs, pale olive green; toes,
light yellow on the soles.

The plate is from a drawing by the Kev. li. P. Alington.

30

KINGED DOTTEREL.

BINGE D PLOVETt. SAi\TD LAKK. SAND LAYEOCK. DULL- WILLY.

Churadrius hiaticula, Pennant. Montagu.

Charudrius— ? Hiaticula — r

Tnis is the first we arrive at of our regular "long shore'
birds, and it is to be found on all or nearly all our coasts,
as also by the margins of creeks, estuaries, and rivers, and
even at times those of inland lakes and ponds.

It occurs in Europe — its range extending from Denmark,
Lapland, Sweden, and Norway, Russia and Siberia to Prussia,
Holland, France, Germany, and Italy, and so far as Greenland
and Iceland to the north, and Malta to the south. Likewise
in Asia, in Asia Minor, and in Japan, according to M.
Temminck; and in some parts of Africa — Nubia, and the Cape
of Good Hope. In America also, both north and south, about
Hudson's Bay, and in Virginia, Carolina, Jamaica, and the
Brazils, and in the Sandwich Islands; so that it belongs to
the four quarters of the globe.

Mr. Allis says, in his 'Catalogue of the Birds of Yorkshire,'
read before the British Association, that specimens have been
obtained near Halifax and Sheffield. I have repeatedly
observed them on the sands south of Burlington. One of
these birds was shot near the city of Worcester on the 8th.
of March, 1853. In Dorsetshire I have known them pretty
plentiful. In Cornwall they are not uncommon. Two were
on the banks of the Isis near Oxford, in March, 1852.
In Orkney it is an exceedingly common species, and remains
throughout the year. During winter they may be seen in
ilucks varying from a dozen to some hundreds.

RINGED DOTTEBEL. 31

It is very interesting to watch this pretty little bird chasing
nimbly along the sands close to the water's edge, avoiding
the waves that may now and then wash higher up than the
others, by deviating just as much as, and no more than is
necessary from its course. It needs not the warning of the
lesson taught by Canute to his courtiers, but follows the
guidance of Nature, obedient to One, and Oxe only, who hath
'placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual
decree that it cannot pass it, and though the waves thereof
toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar,
yet can they not pass over it;' — farther than that it turns
not aside, instinctively knowing the truth of the Divine law
given to the ocean, and which it must obey, 'Hitherto shalt
thou come, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves
be stayed.' Thus you may see it 'running before the wind/
as so well depicted by my friend, the Eev. R. P. Alington, in
the figure from which the plate is taken, its light feathers
blown up by the gust sweeping from behind, and hurrying
by its side the bubbling foam left by the recoiling wave of
the flowing or ebbing tide.

The numbers of these birds in some parts are added to in
the spring and autumn by migratory bodies, respectively
proceeding north and south, and these partial migrations take
place, it is said by night, and at a very high elevation; I
have never had opportunity of seeing it.

The Ringed Dotterel will on occasion make use of the
same stratagems and manoeuvres that so many other kinds
do to allure away intruders from the nest or young, uttering
a twittering note of alarm and anxiety. 'At first when
leaving the nest, they skulk away from it before taking wing,
which they are easily enabled to do from their inobtrusive
colouring,' 'and if pursued will fly to a little distance,
distend all its feathers, and seem to tumble over head and
heels repeatedly, till it has enticed its enemy to a distance
from its young, and then it flies off.' When disturbed, they
course usually in a semicircle over the sea, and, if allowed,
return to the same spot or near it. They are good birds to
eat, and are caught lin nooses accordingly.

They associate at times with other maritime species, though
not on terms of very close intimacy. They are very hardy
birds, and may easily be kept in confinement. They are fond
of bathing, and Meyer says, sometimes saturate themselves
so that they cannot easily take wing.

32 BINGED DOTTEBEL.

They fly with strength and rapidity, but generally not
far unless much alarmed, coming back to the place they had
left, as the most productive probably of a supply of food.
The flight is performed with moderate flappings of the wings;
they also run fast, frequently stopping and glancing round.
They move about in a horizontal position, with the head
lowered, and the neck shortened, but when running, stretch
themselves out more. Before flying, and again before settling,
the wings are spread up over the back.

They feed on worms, marine and other aquatic insects and
their larvae, and small Crustacea, shrimps, sandhoppers, and
other such, and they continue searching for them on moonlight
nights until the morning.

The note is a clear wild whistle, and they utter it when
disturbed, taking short flights and then alighting and running
again. If much alarmed they fly right off, coursing along
over the sea.

They begin to pair early in May, but some earlier and
others later in the summer.

The nest, so to call it, for there is none but some slight
natural hollow amongst small gravel, or on a little hillock
of sand, frequently under the shelter of some tall grass, is
generally placed on a bank by the beach, just above high-
water mark, but occasionally in sandy places farther inland,
as much, Sir William Jardine says, as ten, or from that to
fifteen or twenty miles: in some instances on the banks that
line the coast, or even over them in an adjoining field.
Among others, on warrens in Norfolk and Suffolk, near
Bechamwell, Elston, and Thetford, occasionally also in the
Fens: great numbers appeared in those of Bottisham and
Swaffham^ in Cambridgeshire, the Eev. Leonard Jenyns has
recorded, in the months of June and July, 1824, which was
a remarkably wet season.

The eggs are four in number, and of a greenish grev, pale
buff, or cream-colour, spotted and streaked with bluish grey
and black, or blackish brown. The male and female both
sit on them, and appear much attached to each other, as well
as very careful of their eggs and young. In the spring the
males often fight.

Male; weight, about two ounces; length, seven inches and
a half to seven and three quarters; bill, black at the tip,
orange yellow towards the base; iris, brown; below it is a
wide black land, reaching in front to and over the bill.

BILGED DOTTEREL. 33

Forehead, white; over it a black band, deepest coloured in
summer, crosses to the eyes; crown, neck on the back, and
nape, greyish brown; chin and throat, white, extending
backwards to the nape; breast, white, with a wide collar of
intense black across its upper part, deepest in hue in summer;
it is about an inch in breadth, and passing round in a
narrowed circle, mingles with the colour of the back; back,
greyish brown.

The wings have the first feather the longest; greater and
lesser wing coverts, greyish brown, the former tipped with
white, shewing in flight; primaries, deep brownish black, with
some white at their base; the outer end of each shaft, for
about an inch, white, and the tips of some of the inner
ones; secondaries, brown, tipped with white, forming a bar
across, and the basal part of the outer ones white; tertiaries,
greyish brown. Greater under wing coverts, greyish brown,
with white tips to some of them; lesser under wing coverts,
greyish brown. Tail, greyish brown at the base, darkening to
greyish black towrards the end; the two middle feathers are
the longest, and only slightly marked with white at the end;
the next four on each side tipped with white, the outer but
one has the outer web entirely white; the outer one on each
side is wholly white, with the exception of a black spot in
the centre of the inner web. Upper tail coverts, greyish brown;
under tail coverts, white; legs and toes, orange yellow; claws,
black.

The female resembles the male, but has the black bands on
the forehead and the upper part of the breast narrower, and
not so deep in colour, and her whole plumage duller.

The young have the bill almost entirely black, the under
one pale orange yellow; from the base to the eye is a dusky
streak; the forehead has no black band over the white one,
which, is dull white; crown, greyish brown, without the black
band, and below the back of the head is a shade of dull
black; the collar on the upper part of the breast is pale dusky
brown. Chin, throat, and breast, white, with a tinge of yellow,
the gorget dull brown; back, greyish brown, each leather edged
with yellowish brown. Greater and lesser wing coverts, greyish
brown, the leathers edged and tipped with pale yellowish
or whitish brown; secondaries and tertiaries, greyish brown,
each feather edged with yellowish brown. The tail has the
two middle pairs of feathers tipped with yellowish brown;

VOL V. D

34 "RING-ED DOTTEREL.

legs and toes, pale dull yellow. This species is subject to a
double moult.

A curious instance of malformation in this species is given
in 'The Naturalist,' vol. ii, page 132, by Mr. Clement Jackson,
of East Looe, namely, an additional toe springing from the
inside of the right leg, attached to the knee as far as the
second joint: no other peculiarity existed, and the bird was
very fat. An illustration is given with the account.

35

LITTLE KINGED DOTTEREL.

LITTLE RUTG DOTTBELL. LITTLE BILGED PLOTEE.

Characlrius minor t Jbkyxs. Gould.

Charadrius ? Minor— Lesser.

On the continent this bird occurs commonly in various parts
— Germany, France, Italy, and Sweden. It has also been
found in Asia, in Persia, in Japan, and the Philippine Islands;
as also, Meyer says, in Africa, in Nubia and Abyssinia.

But one specimen of this species, taken at Shoreham, in
Sussex, had for some time occurred in this country, but as it
was a very young bird, it had no doubt been hatched here by
a parent bird of the same kind. Its 'little life' was at once
cut short in the land of its birth — '0 patria dolce; ingrata
patria.' Another wTas subsequently obtained from Scilly, in
September, 1851, by J. B. Ellman, Esq., of Lewes. In
Yorkshire one, a male, was shot in a ploughed field near Whixley,
an inland place in the West-Riding, by Mr. James Stvan,
on the 30th. of July, 1850.

It occasionally frequents the tide- way of the sea beach, but for
the most part gives a preference to sand-banks, and islands in
rivers, as also at times sandy places at some little distance
from them.

These birds migrate in the spring and autumn, about March,
or rather April, and August or September. They travel in
small parties of from five to ten, and invariably during the
night. They are sociable in their habits, several broods being
"brought out in the same locality, and they also intermingle
with lie cks of other birds. They are not shy, and may be
approached pretty nearly. They are easily kept in confine-
ment for a certain time, and become very tame and amusing

36 LITTLE HINGED DOTTEREL.

They feed on small worms, flies, beetles, and small aquatic
and other insects in their various stages, and this chiefly in
the mornings and evenings, and part of the night, wading
in search of them in the shallows. They roost during the day,
either standing by the water side or crouching down.

The note is a plaintive whistle, and they frequently utter
it in the spring as they keep flying about. Meyer expresses
it by <dut,' 'dit,' or <dea.'

The sand is its nest.

The eggs are of & pale yellowish stone-colour, with numerous
small spots of bluish ash, reddish brown, and dark brown.
The young are hatched in sixteen or seventeen days, and at
once begin to run about, hiding themselves instinctively with
much cleverness if endangered.

Male; length, not quite seven inches; bill, slender and black;
iris, brown; the eyelids, dark yellowish; forehead, white, over
it a black patch as far as the eye; crown, back of the head, and
neck on the back, greyish brown; nape, white; chin and throat,
white, extending from the latter round the nape; breast, white,
with a patch of black on its upper part; back, ash-colour or
greyish brown.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest, the second
nearly as long; greater and lesser wing coverts, greyish brown;
primaries and secondaries, dusky brown, edged with white, and
the first quill feather with a broad white shaft; tertiaries,
greyish brown. Tail, greyish brown at the base, darker towards
the end; the five outer feathers white on the ends, each
gradually more so; the outer feather on each side white, with
a large blackish spot on the inner web; upper tail coverts,
greyish brown ; under tail coverts, white. Legs and toes, slender,
pale yellowish red; claws, black.

The female has the bands of white and black on the forehead
narrower and less distinctly defined than in the male. The
feathers of the back and wing coverts have buff-coloured margins;
legs, pale reddish yellow; the joints grey.

The young are without the decided black markings; the
white also is less pure.

37

KENTISH DOTTEREL.

KENTISH PLOYEE.

Charadr'vs Cantianvs, Latham. Jardine.

44 Alexandrinus, Ha>>ei QCIST.

" albifrons, Meyer.

" Httoralis, BECHSTEIN.

Charadrius ? Cantianus — Kentish.

De. Latham was the first to describe this bird as a British
one.

In Europe it is plentiful in Germany and Holland, and is
found in France, Italy, and along the shores of the Mediterra-
nean generally, sometimes also as far north as Sweden. It
is likewise an African species, occurring in Egypt and
Nubia; and also, it is said, an Asiatic, in Tartary, India, the
islands of the Indian Ocean — Java, and others.

Some were killed near Sandwich, in Kent, in 17S7 and
1791; several have been more recently procured there, at Pegwell
Bay, and on the Plats, and others towards Sandhurst Castle
and Deal. It is likewise numerous at Lvdd, in Pomney Marsh,
and occurs also in Sussex, at Selsey, five, and Hastings. In
Norfolk it is met with but rarely — has occurred near Yarmouth;
also in Suffolk. In Cornwall one was captured the 17th. of
April, 1852, near Penzance; it was in company with Sanderlings.

These birds arrive in April or May, and depart in August,
to return again, 'barring accidents,' the following year.

They frequent the sea-coast, rarely occurring on the banks
of rivers. If very high tides compel them, they retire 'pro
tempore' into the adjoining fields, or sometimes even farther
inland. If danger approaches while the bird is on the nest,
the owner immediately runs away from it, so as to deceive,
as to its situation, if she can. So also when the young are

38 KENTISH DOTTEEEL.

hatched, which they are in seventeen days, when they at once
begin to run about, the parents become very uneasy, and
flutter about an intruder with notes of alarm.

They associate with the Einged Dotterels, but the flocks
keep distinct in flight.

They can run very fast, and do so if approached. They
fly also very quickly. 'Before taking flight it opens its wings
wide above its back, and generally skims the surface of the
water when it does not intend to leave the neighbourhood;
on alighting it skims to a short distance, and on touching
the ground with its feet it opens its wings again wide, then
runs a short space, and looks round before it begins its vocation
of feeding.'

Small marine insects, worms, and Crustacea, form the staple
of their food.

Meyer gives the words 'tirr, tirr,' 'pitt, pitt,' and 'pwee,
pwee,' as resemblances of its note.

The nest is placed on the shingle, or rather is actual shingle
itself, or fine sand, any slight depression serving as a receptacle
for the eggs; a few blades of grass or withered weeds may
perchance afford a scanty lining. The eggs are four in number,
Mr. Gould, it is said erroneously, says five; they are of a
yellowish colour, finely and much marked all over, but chiefly
at and about the centre and base, with dark blackish brown.
The bird rarely sits on the eggs during the day.

Male; weight, rather over one ounce and a half; length,
not quite seven inches; bill, black; from its base, to and beyond
the eye, is a black streak; iris, brown; the eyelids white.
Forehead, white, extending broadly over the eye and a little
beyond it, over the white is a patch of black; head on the
sides, white; crown and back of the head, rich reddish or
yellowish brown, with a tinge of grey, the former colour
prevailing at the edges; neck on the sides, and nape, white;
chin and throat, white. Breast, white, excepting a patch of
black on each side of its upper part ; back, light greyish brown.

The wings have the first feather the longest; the shafts
the darkest coloured; greater wing coverts, light greyish
brown tipped with white; lesser wing coverts, light greyish
brown; primaries, brownish black; the shafts white, and the
last with light edges; secondaries, brownish black, tipped with
white, and white at the base; tertiaries, light greyish brown;
greater and lesser under wing coverts, white. The tail, greyish
brown, has the two middle feathers the longest, and dusky

KENTISH DOTTEREL. Otf

black at the end, the two outer ones on each side white.
Selby says that the four centre feathers are brown, and the
three outer ones yellowish white. Probably they vary with
age. Upper tail coverts, light greyish brown; under tail
coverts, white; legs, above the knee, black, below it, and
the toes, bluish grey; claws, black.

The female has the head and neck with less of the black,
and not so clear in colour.

The young have no black marks over the white of the
forehead, nor on the sides of the breast, but their place is
indicated by pale brown; the space between the bill and the
eye, and the band, yellowish brown; eyebrow, white. Forehead,
white; crown, neck on the back, and nape, pale ash-colour
or yellowish brown. The breast has the patch light dusky
brown, itself white; back and greater and lesser wing coverts,
pale ash-coloured brown; legs, toes, and claws, bluish black.

40

GREY PLOVER.

GEET SANDPIPEE.

Squatarola cinerea, Fleming. Selby. Gould.

VaneUus griseas, Jenyns.

u me/anogaster, Temminck.

Tringa squatarola, Penkaht. MONTAGU.

Squatarola— ? Qinerea— Ash-coloured.

This Plover is found in the north and north-east of
Russia and Siberia; plentiful in Holland, and also in the
Ferroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, Jutland, Holstein;
in Pomerania, while shifting its quarters, and then in France,
Italy, Spain, Sardinia, and the Grecian Archipelago. It occurs
in the corresponding part of North America — in the Fur
countries and to the extreme north, and so far south as
Pennsylvania. Likewise in Africa — in Egypt; and in Asia,
M. Temminck says, in Japan, Sunda, and New Gruinea; and
Dr. Horsfield, in Java. It is observed, however, that these
birds, as also others obtained from the south of Africa, do
not put on the characteristic summer dress, so that I can
hardly think that they can be of the same species, though
doubtless closely allied.

It occurs in England from the north to the south.

In Yorkshire, it is met with in the winter, on the coast,
and also inland, occasionally, near Sheffield, Halifax, Barnsley,
and other places. A pair were seen by the Messrs, Tuke, on
Hambleton, in the month of June, which no doubt had a
nest near, lor they would not leave the place, though watched
lor several hours. They are met with on the Wolds in the
autumn. In Norfolk they are not uncommon in the same

GREY PLOYEE. 41

season, and in winter, arriving rather later than the Golden
Plover, some tarrying till the latter end of May. In Cornwall,
near Falmouth, they are rare.

In Scotland it is also met with. The neighbourhood of
Perth is one locality; and Sir William Jardine shot a pair
on the banks of one of the lochs at Lochmaben, and has
seen others frequently on the Solway — a very likely place for
such species, as those who remember the achievements of
Hemes, as chronicled in 'Red-gauntlet,' will be aware.

In Orkney a pair were seen at Ellsness, in September,
1822. One was killed by Mr. Strang, in January 1834, and
another on the 27th. of February, 1844. A few pairs are
observed almost every winter.

It is found likewise in Ireland in the winter months.

It frequents the low flats of the sea-shore, and is but
seldom seen inland, except during migration: the former they
leave when the tide comes up, for the adjoining marshy lands.

Some of these birds remain with us throughout the year,
but the chief part move southwards for the winter, towards,
and at which season, they are seen most usually with us,
and northwards for the summer; the former in the months
of August, September, October, and November. They migrate
during the night, when, Meyer says, they travel 'at a great
height in companies, forming two lines, headed by one bird;
the lines extending to the right and left.'

They seem to do well in confinement, soon becoming tame
and living a long time. They assemble in some places in
flocks of several hundreds, but usually in small parties, and
are sociable both among themselves and with other species,
unanimously keeping together in flight. They are generally
very shy, and except when 'caught napping,' or when young,
are very difficult to approach; on their first arrival, however,
whether it may be that they are fatigued after their long
journey, or have not as yet had cause for alarm, they appear
not to be so. They are sold in the markets for the table.
'The general appearance of this species is peculiar to itself;
it walks about on the ground slowly and with grace, and
stops every now and then to pick up its food; it carries its
body in a horizontal position, on straight legs, and its head
very close to its body, consequently increasing the thick
appearance of the head."

They are said to be very good eating, and are sold
accordingly in the London and other markets.

±2 GKEY PLOYEE.

They feed morning and evening, and roost during the
daytime, either standing or crouching down. Their food
consists of marine insects, beetles, caterpillars, and worms,
the smaller shell-fish, and the berries of the whortle-berry
and the black-berried heath.

The note Meyer likens to the word 'tlewee, or 'gleewee.

They fly low, and very quickly, and have a habit of opening
the wings before starting, which in summer shews the jet
black breast to advantage.

The eggs are dark green, spotted irregularly with different
shades of brown; the spots crowded and confluent round the
obtuse end.

Male; weight, about seven ounces; length, eleven inches
and a half, or over; bill, black; iris, very dark brown; over
the eye is a white streak. Forehead, white or grey, in winter
white spotted with brown and grey; sides of the head, white,
with a few dusky lines; crown and neck on the back, grey,
the former less, the latter more, spotted with dusky^ the
shafts black; nape, brown, black, and white; in the winter
all dusky with grey edges and tips to the feathers. Chin,
throat, neck in front, and breast, black in summer; the latter
white on the sides, but all in winter are spotted with brown
and grey, or yellowish white, the latter colours forming angular
marks on the feathers; the breast below, white, in winter
dull white. The back has the feathers black, widely tipped
with greyish white or white; in winter dusky, with grey
edges and tips to the feathers.

The wings, about two feet in expanse, have the first quill
feather not quite half an inch longer than the second, and
the longest in the wing; greater and lesser wing coverts, black,
all barred on the tips with white or greyish white; primaries,
dusky, the shafts white. Montagu adds, 'the inner webs more
or less white, as well as the shafts; from the fifth some white
begins to appear on the outer web down the shaft, which
increases in the next, and from the seventh to the tenth the
whole of the outer web is white except on the point.'
Secondaries, dusky; tertiaries, dusky, barred with white, the
latter on the tips of the feathers. Greater and lesser under
wing coverts, white; tail, white, barred with numerous greyish
black bars; in winter white, barred with brown, and tipped
with yellowish brown; upper tail coverts, black and white,
the latter on the tips, white in winter; under tail coverts, white;
legs, toes, the hinder one of which is very small, only

GREY PLOVER. 43

rudimentary, and lying close to the leg, and claws, greyish
black.

'In spring the black feathers begin to appear on the breast,
and the birds may be observed in various degrees of change
from white, with only a few black feathers, to entire and perfect
black. The breeding plumage is generally complete by the
end of May.'

'Young birds of the year, in autumn are darker than old
birds in winter, having a larger proportion of black above and
grey below.' — Yarrell.

The full summer plumage is acquired the latter end of May.

Sir William Jardine says 'Two specimens shot a few years
since, by the side of one of the Lochmaben lochs, in the month
of August, had the ground colour of the upper parts very dark,
and the edging and angular spotting of the feathers nearly
of the tint of sienna yellow, so as to cause them to appear,
when first taken up, to be the Golden Plover; the breast also
had the dark parts of the feathers much broader, and the
whole tinted over with yellowish wood brown. These were
considered to be young birds arrived from migration.'

44

PEEWIT.

PE-WTT. TE-WIT. LAPWING. COMMON LAPWING.

CHESTED LAPWING. GEEEN LAPWING. GREEN PLOVEB.

LAPWING SANDPIPER. FRENCH PIGEON

Vanel/us cristatus, FLEMING. Selby.

Tringa vanellus, Pennant. Montagu.

Vanellus—Qucere from Vannus—A fan, from the fanning
motion of the wings? Cristatus— Crested.

This very beautiful bird seems to be spread over the
whole of the European continent, from Ireland and the Ferroe
Isles, Russia, Siberia, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, to Italy,
Prussia, Germany, Spain, Holland, Greece, France, and Sardinia.
It is also found in Africa, — in Egypt; and in Asia — in China,
Japan, and Persia, and thence to the Black and Caspian Seas,
the Lake Baikal and Astrachan.

It occurs throughout the whole of this country, but least
plentifully in the midland and south-western parts.

In Cornwall they are not uncommon near Swanpool and
Gwyllvn Vase, but a flock of seventeen seen near Pennance,
January 17th., 1850, was considered an unusual number.

They frequent open places, heaths, commons, marshy grounds,
the sides of drains, fallow and other fields, especially those
which have not been drained. Hitherto the low districts of
Essex, Kent, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire, have
furnished the largest supplies of their eggs, for the London
market; but even the last-named county, once so proverbial
for watery wastes, is now fast becoming altogether drained,
and its agriculture has long since been second to none, so
that in time different tenants will, beyond doubt, occupy the
soil to the exclusion of others of a different class.

PEEWIT. 45

In Orkney they appear in great abundance in March, and
remain until the end of October, at which time the greater
number migrate southwards. A few however remain stationary
throughout the year. They abound also in the Shetland Isles.
In Ireland they are common and indigenous.

They collect into large flocks in the autumn, the component
parts thereof resolving themselves into their respective
individualities in the spring.

Lapwings can hardly be called migratory birds, as some
are to be seen nearly throughout the year, but at the end of
February or the beginning of March they arrive, first in small
and then in greater numbers, on the downs and other open
places, frequenting the same haunts annually. They then pair
and separate, and so spread themselves over the face of the
country. In November, or later if the weather has been till
then open, they retire southwards. They are extremely good
birds to eat in the autumn and winter, but indifferent in the
summer.

They are often kept in gardens, where they are very
serviceable in devouring insects, and at the same time
ornamental. One has been known to have lived in this half-
domesticated state for fourteen years. Bewick gives an account
of one thus kept by the Rev. J. Carlyle, vicar of Newcastle;
when 'winter deprived it of its usual supply, necessity soon
compelled it to draw nearer the house, by which it gradually
became familiarized to occasional interruptions from the family.
At length a servant, when she had occasion to go into the
back kitchen with a light, observed that the Lapwing always
uttered his cry, 'pee-wit,' to obtain admittance. He soon grew
more familiar; as the winter advanced he approached as far
as the kitchen, but with much caution, as that part of the
house was generally inhabited by a dog and a cat, whose
friendship the Lapwing at length conciliated so entirely, that
it was his regular custom to resort to the fireside as soon as
it grew dark, and spend the evening and night with his two
associates, sitting close by them, and partaking of the comforts
of a warm fireside. As soon as spring appeared he left off
coming to the house, and betook himself to the garden; but
on the approach of winter, he had recourse to his old shelter
and his old friends, who had received him very cordiailv.
Security was productive of insolence; what was obtained with
caution was afterwards taken without reserve: he frequently
amused himself with washing in the bowl which was set for

46 PEEWIT..

the dog to drink out of, and while he was thus employed
he shewed marks of the greatest indignation if either of
his companions presumed to interrupt him.' They are restless,
watchful, and shy birds, and rarely approach houses, or even
the vicinity of trees, preferring wide and open places. Even
when roosting in the middle of the day, some sentinels are
on the look out to give timely notice to the flock of any
approaching danger.

'The Lapwing,' says Mr. Conway, will fly round and round,
tumbling and tossing in the air, and at the same time
making the country resound with the echoes of its endless
'pee-wit!' and thus lead the intruder farther and farther from
its nest.' Its gyrations on these occasions are such as
must strike the most inattentive passer-by, and the thoughtful
mind will watch them with pleasing admiration. It is the
male bird that is most clamorous on these occasions; the
female on being disturbed runs first from the eggs or young,
and then flies a little way, near the ground and in silence.

The flight of the Lapwing is indicated by this, one of its
vernacular names derived from it, a rather slow flapping of
the wings. It seems at one and the same time both laboured
and light, and is seen to advantage when the bird is chasing
some prowling crow who has come too near. In dashing
and whirling about in the air, when you by chance approach
the spot where its young or eggs are located, it frequently
makes a rushing sound with its wings, which really at times
bears a striking resemblance to the puffing of the engine of
a railway-train, heard at some distance, or against the wind.
Before taking wing it stretches the head out, and previous
to alighting skims along the ground.

In Scotland it is said to be considered as an unlucky bird,
owing to its having formerly been the means, by hovering
about the fleeing Covenanters who chanced to disturb it, of
guiding their pursuers to them. On the other hand, it is
related that the founder of the family of Tyrwhitt of Lin-
colnshire, was saved by his followers being thus directed to
him where he lay wounded after a skirmish. 'It runs swiftly,
in a horizontal position, with the head downwards; during
which it has a singular habit of stopping suddenly at intervals,
and putting its bill to the ground, but without picking up
anything, apparently to bring its body, as it were, to a
proper equilibrium.' On first alighting, the wings are stretched
up on each side before being settled in their attitude of rest.

PEEWIT. 47

It is a fine sight to see a large flock of these birds wheeling
about, and as they turn their dark or their light sides towards
you, now gleaming and glancing in the setting sun, and now
shadowing into the blackness of the dense moving mass. In
the spring season 'their flight, particularly that of the male
birds, is very peculiar, being subject to a variety of evolutions,
in the course of which they frequently dart perpendicularly
upwards to a considerable height, then throwing a summerset,
as it would seem, in the air, suddenly descend almost to the
ground, along which they course with many turnings and
great velocity, till the same manoeuvre is repeated.' I have
been looking at them the day of writing this, and though I
had so often watched them before, did so again with increased
curiosity.

They feed on worms, slugs, caterpillars, and insects, and
this chiefly during twilight or clear nights. Bishop Stanley
says that one which a friend of his had, used to stand on
one leg and beat the ground regularly with the other, in
order to frighten the worms out of their holes. I should
have thought that it would have had a contrary effect, but
his Lordship gives the following as the theory on the subject:
— 'Their great enemy being the mole, no sooner do they
perceive a vibration or shaking motion in the earth, than
they make the best of their way to the surface, and thus fall
into a greater and more certain peril.' Dr. Latham says the
same.

The well-known note of the Peewit, from whence it derives
its name, composed namely of these two syllables, the lattei
uttered 'crescendo,' 'pe-wit, pewit, pe-wit,' 'pees-wit, pees-wit,
or 'pees-weep, pees-weep,' is one that cannot fail to attract
the ear, whether heard for the first or the thousandth time.
The French, in like manner, call the bird Dixhuit. It has
also a note of alarm or 'quasi' alarm, which after listening
to to-day, I can best describe as a sort of whining sound.

The young are often hatched as soon as April, and besrin
to run about almost immediately after being hatched. Mr.
D. M. Falconer relates, in 'The Naturalist,' vol. ii, p.p. 33 34,
a curious instance of the parent bird when disturbed from
the nest, running off with an egg under her wing, a distance
of two hundred yards.

The nest is that which 'Mother Earth" supplies by a small
and slight depression in the soil, with the addition sometimes
of a few bits of grass, heath, or rushes, and this, perhaps,

48 PEEWIT.

answering to the geographical description of an island, 'entirely
surrounded by water,' on the marshy ground. To avoid,
however, the evils attendant on this contingency, a mole-hill
or other slight eminence is often chosen for a cradle. The
young are not capable of flying till nearly full-grown.

The eggs, which are, like those of most if not of all small
birds, very delicate eating, and sold in immense numbers for
the purpose, are four in number; and so disposed in their
narrow bed as to take up the smallest amount of room, the
narrow ends pointed inwards, like the radii of a circle, to
'one common centre.' They vary to an extraordinary degree,
though generally very much alike; some are blotted nearly
all over with deep shades of brown. A fine series will be
found described in my 'Natural History of the Nests and
Eggs of British Birds.' In general they are of a deep green
colour, blotted and irregularly marked with brownish black.
They are wide at one end and taper at the other, as is the
case with the birds of this class. They are hatched in fifteen
or sixteen days.

Male; weight, between seven and eight ounces; length, a little
over a foot; bill, black; from it and proceeding under the
eye is a streak of black bent downwards; the region about
the eyes is white; iris, dark brown. Forehead, crown, and
back of the head, black glossed with green, ending in a
crest of six or seven narrow long black feathers, with a slight
upward curve, capable of being raised nearly straight up or
depressed at pleasure: they are as much as three inches long
or even more. Head on the sides, neck on the back and sides,
white, sometimes speckle 1 with black and brown; nape, olive
brown; chin, throat, neck in front, and breast on its upper
part, black glossed with green, on its lower, white; the chin
and throat white in winter. Back above, olive green, glossed
with copper-colour and purple; in winter it has less of the
gloss and purple, and the feathers are margined with reddish
white; on its lower part it is ended by a narrow band of
chesnut.

The wings, very much rounded, have the first feather shorter
than the fourth, but longer than the fifth, the second and
third equal in length, and the longest in the wing; greater
and lesser wing coverts, olive green, glossed with green, copper-
colour, and purple; primaries, black, but the first three or
four greyish whi:e at the end; secondaries, black over the ends,
at the base white; tertiaries, green, glossed with green, copper-

PEEWIT. 49

colour, and purple. The tail, rather short, is white on the
inner part, rich black on the outer, but the white prevailing
more over the two or three outside feathers, the extreme one
almost entirely white, having only a greyish black spot near
the tip of the outer web; the tail has the tip narrowly white.
Upper tail coverts, pale reddish chesnut; under tail coverts,
paler fawn-colour. Legs and toes, dull orange purple brown;
claws, black.

The female generally resembles the male, but the crest is
shorter — not much more than half the length, and she is
somewhat duller in tint. The mark between the bill and the
eye, and the crown, deep brown; chin and throat, white.
The back in winter has the feathers narrowly tipped with
yellowish white.

The young, when first hatched, are covered with a dark
yellowish down with a mixture of brown, and afterwards have
the feathers on the upper parts edged with buff; when fledged
and in the first year, the crest is very short, the streak below
the eye dusky, the whole plumage edged with yellowish brown.
Legs and toes, grey with a pink tinsre.

"\ areties have occurred white, cicam-coloured, and dun-
coloured.

50

TURNSTONE.

COMMOB TURNSTONE. HEBEIDAL SA1SDPIPER.

Strepsilas mterpres, FLEMING. Selby.

Tringa interpres, Llxxjsus.

" morinella, Linnaeus.

Arenaria drier ea, BriSSON.

Jdorhiellus marinus, Ray.

Strepsilas. Strepho— To turn. Laas—A stone. Interpres —

An interpreter. I conjecture from the "bird's habit of
careful investigation, and turning over, as a translator
does in the case of the words of a hook.

The geographical range of this species is wide, extending
to all the four great divisions of the globe. On the Euro-
pean continent it is plentiful in Iceland, the Eerroe Islands,
Eussia, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, Greenland and Nova
Zembla; and with us in Shetland, where it breeds, staying
throughout the year. It has also been observed at Madeira,
and in Africa — in Senegal, it is said, and several other parts;
so far south as the Cape of Good Hope. In Asia, it is in-
cluded among the birds of Japan, and has been procured from
Sunda, the Molucca Islands, New Guinea, and in India, near
Madras; as also from New Holland. Selby says, that the
species from the American continent is in every respect similar
to our own, and Sir William Jar dine has received the young
from the West Indies, from the Island of Tobago.

In North America, it occurs in various parts even of the
extreme north, on the shores of the Arctic Sea, and so also
in the opposite direction, even to the bleak and barren Straits
of Magellan, the passage through which can never, it seems
at least to me, be dissociated from the recollection of 'Lord

TTJEXSTOXE. 51

Anson's voyage round the world/ a remnant of whose famous
ship the 'Centurion/ it occurs to me as I write, to mention,
I have hung against my wall among other relics, as being
also one of the first of H.M.S. that my father went to sea
in; — 'ignoscas recordationis benevolens lector.'

In Yorkshire I have seen them on Filey Brigg, that is,
Bridge, the base of an ancient cliff, formerly extant, but long
since washed into the sea, and which, at low water, is dry
for a considerable distance. The species has also been known
at the mouth of the Tees, and on other parts of the coast,
preferring rocky places. Littoral birds, they frequent the sea-
shore, but are at times met with on the banks of the larger
rivers and lakes.

The Rev. E. P. Alington has met with it, though but rarely,
on the Lincolnshire side of the Humber. In Xorfolk it is
found, but not in large numbers, arriving in autumn, and
retiring again in spring, in the former in August, and in the
latter it has been observed so late as the 26th. of May. In
Cornwall, near Falmouth, it is rare. It occurs also in AVales.

This is another of our winter visitants, arriving the end of
August, and departing in March, April, or May; in the one
case in anticipation of the production of a family, and in the
other after that event. The young, when full grown, quit, in
most localities, the place of their birth, and, in company with
their parents, move southwards along the coast. These, for the
most part, compose the small flocks of Turnstones that are
seen.

They are birds of sociable habits, both among themselves,
and towards different kinds, but are shy, otherwise, of approach.
They may, however, easily be tamed, and kept in confinement:
one has been known to eat out ol the hand. They appear
to be fond of bathing. The parents exhibit great attachment
to their young, but, as is the case with another species,
their too great fondness is sometimes the ruin of their offspring,
their cries of distress at the approach of an intruder directing
attention to them. The like cause produces great pugnacity
in them towards other larger sea-fowl; and especially towards
the predatory Gulls, who have a natural inclination for the
eggs of other kinds.

A curious circumstance is mentioned in the 'Zoologist/
page 2G52, by Mr. James C. Garth, of one ol these birds
having been shot out of a flock of pigeons, and also quite
inland, namely, near Knaresborough, in the AYest-Riding, in

52 TURNSTONE.

October, 1849; it was a young one. The following much,
more extraordinary occurrence is narrated by Mr. Edward, in
the same magazine, pages 3077-8-9: —

'Passing along the sea-shore on the West of Banff, I
observed on the sands, at a considerable distance before me,
two birds beside a large-looking object. Knowing by their
appearance that they did not belong to the species which
are usually met with in this quarter, I left the beach, and
proceeded along the adjoining links, an eminence of shingle
intervening, until I concluded that I was about opposite to
the spot where the objects of my search were employed.
Stooping down with my gun upon my back, prepared for
action, I managed to crawl through the bents and across the
shingle for a considerable way, when I at length came in
sight of two little workers, who were busily endeavouring to
turn over a dead fish, which was fully six times their size.
I immediately recognised them as Turnstones. Not wishing
to disturb them, anxious at the same time to witness their
operations, and observing that a few paces nearer them there
was a deep hollow among the shingle, I contrived to creep
into it unobserved.

I was now distant from them but about ten' yards; and
had a distinct and unobserved view of all their movements.
In these there was evinced that extraordinary degree of
sagacity and perseverance, which comes under the notice only
of those who watch the habits of the lower creation with
patience and assiduity; and which, when fully and accurately
related, are not unfrequently discredited by individuals, whoN
although fond of Natural History, seem inclined to believe
that anything in regard to animals must necessarily be false,
or at least the result of ignorance; unless it has been re-
corded in books which are considered as of authority on the
subject. But to return: having got fairly settled down in
my pebbly observatory, I turned my undivided attention t(
the birds before me. They were boldly pushing at the fish
with their bills, and then with their breasts, their endeavours,
however, were in vain— the object remained immoveable. On
this they both went round to the opposite side, and began
to scrape away the sand from close beneath the fish. After
removing a considerable quantity, they again came back to
the spot which they had left, and went once more to work
with their bills and breasts, but with as little apparent
success as formerly. Nothing daunted, however, they ran

TTJEXSTOXE. 53

round a second time to the other side, and recommenced their
trenching operations, with a seeming determination not to be
baffled in their object, which evidently was to undermine the
dead animal before them, in order that it might be the
more easily overturned.

While they were thus employed, and after they had
laboured in this manner, at both sides alternately, for nearly
half an hour, they were joined by another of their own
species, which came flying with rapidity from the neighbouring
rocks. Its timely arrival was hailed with evident signs of
joy. I was led to this conclusion from the gestures which
they exhibited, and from a low but pleasant murmuring noise
to which they gave utterance as soon as the new comer
made his appearance; of their feelings he seemed to be per-
fectly aware, and he made his reply to them in a similar
strain. Their mutual congratulations being over, they all
three fell to work, and after labouring vigorously for a few
minutes in removing the sand, they came round to the other
side, and putting their breasts simultaneously to the fish,
they succeeded in raising it some inches from the sand, but
were unable to turn it over: it went down again to its
sandy bed, to the manifest disappointment of the three.
Resting, however, for a space, and without moving from their
respective positions, which were a little apart the one from
the other, they resolved, it appears, to give the matter
another trial. Lowering themselves with their breasts close
to the sand, they managed to push their bills underneath the
fish, which they made to rise to about the same height as
before; afterwards, withdrawing their bills, but without losing
the advantage they had gained, they applied their breasts to
the object. This they did with such force, and to such
purpose, that at length it went over, and rolled several yards
down a slight declivity. It was followed to some distance
by the birds themselves, before they could recover their
bearing. They returned eagerly to the spot from whence
they had dislodged the obstacle which had so long opposed
them; and they gave unmistaken proof, by their rapid and
continued movements, that they were enjoying an ample
repast as the reward of their industrious and praiseworthy
labour.

I was so pleased and even delighted with the sagacity and
perseverance which they had shown, that I should have
considered myself as guilty of a crime had I endeavoured

54 TURNSTONE.

on the occasion to take away life from these interesting beings
at the very moment when they were exercising, in a manner
so happy for themselves, the wonderful instincts implanted
in them by their great and ever merciful Creator. When
they appeared to have done and to be satisfied, I arose from
my place of concealment. On examining the fish, I found
it to be a specimen of the common cod; it was nearly three
feet and a half long, and it had been embedded in the sand
to about the depth of two inches.'

Meyer observes, 'The general appearance of the Turnstone
is very handsome, owing as much to its figure as to its gay
apparel; its motions on the ground are graceful and dexterous;
it runs much like the Lapwing, every now and then stopping
short to rest or pick up food, especially when it has
reached any elevation, either large or small; it is able to run
very fast, and does so when pursued before it takes wing.
Its flight is elegant and quick, performed generally with
half-extended wings that are considerably curved; its evolutions
are very dexterous, skimming either close over the water or
ground, and rising high in the air it seems to depart, when,
on a sudden, it returns again to the spot.'

Their food consists of marine insects and their larvse, beetles,
and small Crustacea, and these are obtained either among
the sea-weed or the rocks left dry at low water, by turning
over stones on the beach with the beak — whence the name
of the bird. During the time of high water, too, they resort
to the lands that border on the shore, and there pick about
in search of beetles, worms, and other such.

The note, uttered frequently when flying, is a clear twittering
or whistling cry.

The time of breeding is about the middle of June.

They lay their eggs on sandy and rocky coasts, both where
a stunted vegetation obtains, and where sterility alone is the
characteristic of the scene. They appear to have no tie to
any previously-tenanted situation, but choose a new summer
residence, like other tribes, if so it suit them, year after year.
The nest is sometimes placed under the shelter of a stone,
rock, plant, or other break in the surface, and at other times
on the mere rock, sand, or shingle. It is but some trifling
hollow, natural or scraped out for the purpose, lined, perhaps,
with a few dry blades of grass, or leaves.

rJ he eggs, four in number, vary much in colour and markings,
some being of a green olive ground, and others of a brown

TTTENSTONE. 55

olive colour; some much and others only a little spotted,
principally about the obtuse end, with dark grey, olive brown,
and black, or reddish brown of two shades. They are cleverly
concealed.

The bird has an elegant piebald appearance, but in winter
the colours are more dull. They vary very much in plumage
according to age and the season of the year, intermediate
shades occurring in each gradation of change. In the
spring they are very beautiful, but in August begin to lose
their brilliancy. Male; weight, rather more than four ounces;
length, nine inches and a little over; bill, thick at the base,
black, strong, and turned a little upwards. The upper mandible
is rather longer that the lower one. Iris, dark brown; below
it is a black patch, which curves upwards to the base of the
lower bill, encircling a white spot at the base of the upper
one; backwards it goes downwards to meet another which
originates at the base of the lower bill; behind the eye is
a small black streak or mark; over the eye is white. Forehead,
black, reaching to the eye on each side in the line aforesaid;
crown, white, with black feather shafts; neck on the back,
white, on the sides rich black; nape, white; chin, white.
Throat, rich black, from which a black collar extends backwards
to the back of the neck, where that from each side meets.
Breast above, rich black, partly separated from the black of
the throat by a white patch or spot, below white; back above,
black, intermixed with red rust-coloured feathering, forming
irregular rows; below white, with a bar of black over the
tail coverts.

The wings have the first quill feather a little longer than
the second, and the longest; underneath they are white; the
axillary plume white; greater wing coverts, black, edged with
red or dark brown orange, and tipped with white, but the
whole plumage varies much with the season of the year. In
like manner the lesser wing coverts are dusky and dark red,
fche edges pale; primaries, greyish black, the shafts white at
the base; secondaries with broad white tips, forming a distinct
bar across the wings; tertiaries, long, and nearly black, tipped
and spotted with red, or dark brownish orange. Tail, at the
base, white, the remainder greyish black, tipped with white,
with the exception of the two middle feathers; the outer
feather is white; upper tail coverts, white. Legs and toes,
rich orange red; claws, black, 'the hind toe articulated on
the inner surface of the tarsus, and directed inwards towards

5G TUENSTONE.

the other leg, not backwards as in most other birds.' The
three front toes are connected at their base by a short membrane.

The female closely resembles the male, but the colours are
not so distinct or bright, and the white on the head and
neck is less pure.

'In young birds of the year the whole of the plumage of
the upper surface of the body, and round the throat in front,
is dull brownish black; the feathers of the body edged with
yellowish white; those of the wing coverts and tertials edged
with reddish buff colour; the chin, breast, and under tail
coverts, white; the legs and toes, pale orange.'

57

SANDERLING.

CUEWILLET. TOWILLY.

Arenaria calidris, Gould.

" vulgaris, Stephens.

Calidris arenaria, Temminck. JenyNS.

Charadrius calidris. Pennant.

*• rubidus, Gmelin.

Arenaria. Arena — Sand — sea-shore. Calidris — ?

This is a bird of very pleasing appearance, and tolerably
well known on most of the sandy snores of Great Britain
and Ireland, as well as at times met with by the side of
inland waters.

It appears in Iceland, Greenland, Siberia, Sweden, Denmark,
Norway, and other parts of the north of our continent, as
well as in the south, in France, Germany, Italy, and Holland;
also in Labrador, and other arctic regions of America, and in
the North Georgian Islands. It goes, on the other hand, as
far south as Mexico and the Brazils, and is met with likewise
m northern Africa, and in Asia on the shores of the Black
Sea, and the lakes and rivers of Persia, and in Japan, it is
said, and in Sunda and New Guinea.

The Sanderling is not very unlrequent on the English
shores, throughout the island; seventeen were shot in one
day, October 12th., 1846, in some stormy weather, in the
neighbourhood of Brighton, but not one specimen, says Mr.
Thomas Thorncroft, writing to me on the 29th. of May,
1850, has occurred there since. In Yorkshire they have been
met at the mouth of the Tees; also near Burlington, and
along the coast, generally in the autumn. In Cornwall,
near Falmouth, they are uncommon. In Norfolk they occur,

58 SANDEBLING.

but only in limited numbers; most are seen in the spring
and autumn. It has been noticed as late as tbe last week
in May.

In Scotland it is also known. Charles St. John, Esq.
records it as occurring in Sutherlandshire; Sir William Jardine
on the banks of the Solway Firth; and the late William
Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, in Ireland.

This species occasionally visits Orkney during winter, or
early in spring. It has been observed at Scapa, at Orphir,
and in Hoy.

It breeds in the north, but some have been met with here
in the summer season, as, for instance, in the Mull of Can tyre
on the 2nd. of June. It migrates in April, and in August
or September, and is related to do so in the night, and
principally along the sea-shores, or across the sea itself.
Possibly those which are met with here in the former of the
two latter months, as well as others, may have been with us,
in some part of the island, all the year.

They go in small flocks, and also consort, not unusually,
with the Dunlin, as also occasionally with the smaller of the
Plovers, but this seemingly when their own numbers are few,
keeping with them on the ground, and accompanying them
in their flights. They sometimes however assemble in flocks
of several hundred individuals, and then their own company
suffices them. If forced by any sudden alarm to separate,
they re-unite again as speedily as they can. They are very
sociable and friendly birds, gentle and pleasing, and are easily
kept in confinement; neither in their wild state are they at
all shy, but quietly permit a near approach. They are very
active and busy in their motions, running about much, with
ease and swiftness, over the same ground, in search of food.
They roost frequently in a sitting position.

The flight of the Sanderling is both graceful and strong,
and when the bird moves from place to place it follows the
course of the shore, a little above the surface of the water.
'When it alights it sails a short distance, and then flutters
a little before touching the ground in order to break its
descent.'

They move about, when feeding, in a horizontal position,
the head and neck lowered, and the former drawn very close
in upon the shoulders: they run very swiftly.

They feed on small marine worms, insects, and larvae, to
be found on the beach, which they procure by probing with

SAITOEBLTNQ. 59

their bills in the soft sand; and also on shrimps, sandhoppers,
and other Crustacea and minute shell-fish, and other 'treasures
of the deep;' with which they swallow a little gravel. They
become very fat, and are considered fine eating.

The note is only a 'pit, pit.'

The nest is said to be placed in marshy places, and formed
in a rude manner of grass.

The eggs are described as being four in number, of a
dusky colour spotted with black.

Male; weight, about two ounces; length, about eight inches;
bill, black — between it and the eye is a dusky space, which
in winter becomes a small black spot; the feathers at the
base of the beak white. Iris, brown; over it is a buff-coloured
streak, white in winter; the head on the sides, white, spotted
with dusky and rufous; the crown, neck on the back, and
nape, have the feathers black in the centre, edged with pale
rufous, in some white; on the sides the neck is covered with
small spots of rufous and black on a white ground, the shafts
also of these feathers being blackish brown; on the back
and the nape, much the same: in winter, all these back parts
are grey with dusky shafts to the feathers. Chin, throat, and
upper part of the breast, white or greyish white, spotted more
or less with rufous and black — in winter all white; breast
below, white. The back has the feathers black edged with
rufous, on the lower part dusky, barred with cinereous and
with rufous edges to the feathers; in winter white on the
sides.

The wings have the first quill feather a little longer than
the second, and the longest in the wing — underneath they are
white; the axillary plume white. Greater and lesser wing
coverts, dusky, with the centres of the feathers darkest: the
former, in winter, are broadly tipped with white, forming a
bar across the wing. Primaries, brownish black on the outer
web, greyish white on the inner, the shafts white; secondaries,
blackish brown, with broad white tips, forming a bar across
the wings; tertiaries, also blackish brown edged with pale
rufous. Tail, cuneated, greyish white, the middle feathers
greyish black margined with white, and rather pointed; upper
tail coverts, dusky. Legs and toes, bluish black; claws, black.
The toes underneath are flattened.

The female is rather larger than the male.

'In the first or nestling plumage, the forehead, eve streak,
cheeks, and throat, are white. At the lower part of the neck

60 SANDEELIKG.

re a zone o£ pale cream or yellowish white, which passes into
light ash grey upon the upper part of the hreast; under parts
of the body white. Crown of the head, black, margined and
spotted with pale buff; nape and hind part of the neck, pale
ash grey, with darker streaks; mantle and scapulars, black,
margined and spotted with white. Tertials, hair brown,
margined with greyish white. Quills and tail, as in the winter
plumage of the adult bird. Legs, deep grey.' — Selby. ^

Mr. Yarrell observes 'The appearance of the Sanderling in
spring, when in change to the plumage of summer, is prettier
than at any other season; each feather on the upper surface
of the body exhibits a portion of black in the centre, edged
partly with rufous, and partly with the remains of the white
peculiar to winter; by degrees the white edging gives place
to the red; the neck in front becomes speckled, but the under
surface of the body remains white all the year.'

'A female killed at the end of August, has the upper surface
of the body darker than in the spring, but mixed with dull
black, some red, and greyish white; almost all the red colour
of the breeding-season has disappeared, but the autumn moult
having commenced, a few of the greyish white feathers of the
winter plumage appear intermixed with the faded remains of
the tints of summer.'

'In winter the plumage on the upper surface of the body
is of a very light ash grey, almost white* the shaft of each
feather forming a darker streak; carpal portion of the wing
and the primary quill feathers almost black. Tail feathers,
ash-colour edged with white; chin, throat, and all the under
surface of the body, white; beak, legs, toes, and claws, black.'

The full winter plumage is obtained by the end of October.
Previous to that time, the Eev. Leonard Jenyns gives the
following as the description of the young bird: — 'Feathers on
the crown of the head, back, scapulars, and wing coverts,
black edged and spotted with yellowish; between the bill and
the eye a cinereous brown streak; nape, sides of the neck, and
sides of the breast, pale grey, with fine undulating streaks;
forehead, throat, fore part of the neck, and all the under
parts, pure white; wings and tail as in the adult.'

61

OYSTER-CATCHER.

PIED OYSTER-CATCHEE. SEA PIE. OLITE.

Hamatopus ostralegus, Pennant. Montagu.

belonii, Willughby.

Hcematnpus. (H)aima — Blood. Pous—A foot. Ostralegus.

Ostrcea— An oyster. Lego— To collect.

This fine and handsome bird is well known on the coast
in many parts of England and Ireland, from the Scilly Islands
to the extreme north. In Europe, its range extends from the
southern countries — Holland, France, and Spain, to Denmark,
Sweden, Norway, Russia, Siberia, Kamtschatka, the Ferroe
Isles, and Iceland. In Asia, it is described as occurring in
Japan, and in Africa, as far as Senegal, and in America, also
from Hudson's Bay to the Bermudas.

In Yorkshire, Mr. Allis reports, on the authority of Mr.
Eddison, that it is, though rarely, met with near Huddersfield,
and that two were obtained on Slaithwaite and Marsden Moors,
in winter, near the reservoirs. In other parts of the kingdom
too it has occurred inland. Four are recorded to have been met
with at Godalming, in Surrey, and one also at Oatlands by
the Thames, fifty miles from the sea. James Harley, Esq.
gives it as occasionally occurring on the banks of the Trent,
and mentions a pair killed at Melbourne Pool, on the borders
of Leicestershire, in January, 1838. They seem to be the
most numerous on the Lincolnshire coast, near Skegness, and
other parts. On the Norfolk coast it is common throughout
the year, breeding there, as it also does in the Fern Islands,
on the coast of Northumberland, and in Scotland, in Suther-
landshire, and elsewhere It has been known to breed several
miles inland, as much as twenty-five, or thirty, or more,
namely, on the banks of the Don, in Scotland, and up as high

62 OYSTER-CATCHEE.

as Kildrummy; likewise at Ballindalloch. Dr. Fleming, too,
relates that it breeds, 'down by the Tummel,' at Moulincarn,
between Dunkeld and Blair Athol; and Sir William Jardine
has seen them on the Tweed as high up as Dryburgh.

In Orkney this species continues the whole year; a few
additional birds, however, generally arrive in spring. In
Shetland it is also numerous, as well as in the Hebrides or
Western Islands.

They are seldom seen inland, though that is the case
sometimes, but are principally to be noticed on the rocky
shores of inlets, and the sand banks of bays and creeks, and
mud-covered flats, where scant oases of vegetation and moist
patches are interspersed. One was shot on the Biver Wey,
near Guildford, Surrey, on the 23rd. of March, 1845.

They are occasionally migratory to some extent, namely, in
very inclement weather, but otherwise appear to be stationary.
In the former case, flocks of several hundreds move together
at a great height, both by night and by day, the body forming
two sides of a triangle, the whole led by one bird. Their
voices at such times are heard in the distance, and the more
so if the regular line happens to be broken.

In winter they unite in small flocks, which again in spring
divide into pairs, but several of these resort to the same
breeding-places. The male bird keeps watch while the hen
is sitting, and gives notice by a loud shrill whistle of the
supposed approach of any danger. The hen, if need be,
silently quits the nest, and after making a circuit to deceive
as to its situation, joins her partner, and both unite together
in endeavouring to decoy away the supposed enemy with
loud cries, flying round and round him, often very near.
Any such, however, that are winged, as, for instance, a
Crow, Book, or Skua-Gull, they are quick to give notice of
the approach of, and attack and drive away from the neigh-
bourhood with blows from their powerful bills. They are
tameable birds, and will associate with domestic poultry. In
their wild state, too, they play about in a lively manner
with their own and other species, and at times enter into
contests, attacking fearlessly even such as are larger than
themselves. They are watchful and shy in their habits,
avoiding betimes any suspicious intruders.

They run about in an easy manner, and also, if necessary,
with great rapidity, and can both swim and dive, the
former not unfrequently, for short distances, when seeking for

OYSTEB-CATCHEE. 63

food; but the latter, for the most part only if alarmed. The
young too evince the same habits, and run about almost
immediately after being hatched. They fly strongly, and sail
for some short distance before pitching down.

They feed in the mornings and evenings, and at night, on
various shell-fish — mussels, limpets, and other Crustacea; worms,
and marine insects. For dislodging the former their strong
and wedge-shaped bill is admirably adapted. They roost
during the day, standing either on one or both legs on a stone,
rock, or bank. While the tide covers their feeding-places
they repair to the neighbouring corn and other fields, which
they again quit for their more natural resorts as soon as
permitted.

They are extremely noisy during the time that they have
young, screaming loudly, or scolding in their defence. Meyer
says, 'the call-note of the bird in question sounds most like
the word 'quip' or 'whip,' uttered in a very high tone, and
repeated several times when on the wing; the concert is
generally begun by one bird in a moderate 'tempo,' which
increases to 'allegro,' and finally 'presto, presto,' being joined
by an increased number of voices until all unite in the
chorus.'

The nest is placed among gravel or stones, or among grass
near the sea bank, in situations above high- water mark,
where these materials of building are at hand, and the bird
seems to be especially partial to a mixture of broken shells,
which it carefully collects together and places in a slight
hollow in the ground, using considerable care in their dis-
position. Several nests appear to be made, sometimes, before
the architect can fashion one to give perfect satisfaction;
many nests are placed in contiguity to each other, intermixed
too, it may be, with those of other aquatic birds. Some
have been met with on the top of isolated rocks, at a
height of from ten to fifteen feet from the ground. In lieu
of shells small pieces of stone or gravel are selected, and
the whiter they are the better they seem to please. Incu-
bation lasts about three weeks.

The eggs are four in number, and of a yellowish stone-
colour, spotted with grey, brown, and brownish black. They
have been found variously in April, May, June, and July.
so that it would appear that two broods are reared in the
year. The eggs are disposed with their small on. Is inwards.

The young birds run soon after they are hatched, and are

64 OYSTER-CATCHER.

very active. If pursued they hide their heads in the first
hole they come to, as if thinking, like the Ostrich, that if
they cannot see you, you cannot see them.

Male; weight, about sixteen or seventeen ounces; length, a
little over one foot four inches, or from that to one foot
five, or Sir William Jardine says, to one foot seven inches;
the bill, which is three inches long, is of a deep orange
yellow colour at the base, and paler towards the tip, which
is much compressed; iris, crimson red, the eyelids reddish
orange, below the eye is a small white spot in the autumn
and summer months. Head, crown, neck on the back and
sides, in front, and the nape, black, of a glossy velvet ap-
pearance; chin, throat, and the breast above, glossy velvet
black, the latter below, white; in winter there is a white
gorget more or less developed on the front of the neck,
begun to be assumed in the autumn, and worn till the spring.
Back, above, glossy velvet black, with a reflection of green
and bluish ash-colour; below, white.

The wings have the first quill feather about half an inch
longer than the second, and at the same time the longest in
the wing — underneath they are white, the axillary plume also
white; they expand to the width of two feet eight inches;
greater wing coverts, white on the tips, forming a broad
bar over the wing; lesser wing coverts, glossy velvet black;
primaries, dusky black, with part of their inner webs white,
in the shape of an oblong spot towards the tip; secondaries
and tertiaries, black, with a reflection of green and bluish
ash-colour; greater and lesser under wing coverts, white.
Tail, white on the inner half, black on the outer; upper tail
coverts, white. Legs and toes, pale purple reddish, deeper
coloured with the season; claws, dusky black.

In the winter the plumage is not so clear and bright.

The male and female are alike. They are said to moult
both in the spring and autumn.

The young are at first beautifully mottled over with greyish
brown down. In their first year's plumage they have the
bill yellowish brown, tinged with orange, the back and wing
coverts margined with brown, and the white is not so pure;
the feet are greyish white tinged with pink. The white
gorget is not put on till the second winter.

Sir William Jardine says that he has seen specimens of a
dull white or fawn-colour.

The plate is taken from a design by the Eev. E. P. Alington.

155

CRANE.

COMMON CBA3TE.

Grus cinerea, Fleming. Sslby.

Ardea grus. Pennant Montagu.

Grus — A Crane. Cinerea — Ash-coloured.

The great numbers of these birds said in old chronicles and
records to have been formerly served up at the table, inclines
me to think that as the Heron is even now continually called
a Crane, so it may have been often in reality the species thus
spoken of; any of the Heron tribe being indiscriminately
classed as a Crane. No doubt, however, it was formerly much
more numerous than of late; and now it is indeed a very
rare and casual visitor.

The Crane pertains to Russia and Siberia, Lapland, Sweden,
Finland, and Norway; Mecklenberg, Thuringia, Turkey, Greece,
Pomerair'a, Poland, Prussia, and is found in Holland occa-
sionally in hard winters; and at the 'certain seasons' of
migration, Mr. Gould says that flocks of these great birds
are to be seen in France and Germany, travelling northwards
or southwards as the case may be, high in the air, and
marsh died for 'the route' which has been given them. Their
clear sonorous voices aloft resound below, and direct the eye
to them. Sometimes they are tempted to descend to feed in
newly-sown fields, or marshes, or on the borders of rivers, or
the shores of the sea; but generally they are diverted by no
attraction from their one main object, but steadily wing
their way to the distant country which they have in view,
although they cannot see it, and to which they are directed
by the Great King.

vol. V. F

66 CRANE.

At these times they are also observed at Corfu, and other
islands of the Mediterranean. Cranes also occur in Africa —
namely in Egypt, and other parts — even at the Cape of
G-ood Hope; and in Asia — in Asia Minor, in the regions
between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, in Arabia,
Syria, Persia, China, Hindostan, and in Japan.

In Cambridgeshire one was obtained, according to Pennant,
in the year 1773; and Ray mentions that in his time large
flocks of these birds visited the fens during the winter
months. Aldrovandus speaks of their having formerly bred
in that county, and Willughby also corroborates the fact.
Now, however, they are no longer seen, and need no longer
be looked for there; the Fens are no longer fens, and any
unfortunate Crane who should visit the haunts of his ances-
tors, would find himself sadly 'out of his element,' and that
'with a vengeance' from some ruthless gunner. How the
birds must execrate the memory of the man that invented
gunpowder, and thus superseded the, to them, comparatively
harmless use of the bow and arrow! In Norfolk, one, a
female, was shot at Kirkley, near Lowestoft, in the month
of April, 1845; they were formerly, says Sir Thomas Browne,
often seen in that district in hard winters. One was shot at
Pevensey, in Sussex, in May, 1849. In the same year, about
the end of December, one, apparently a young bird, in Norfolk,
at Martham. In Devonshire, one was obtained in September,
1826, in the parish of Buckland Monachorum, near Plymouth.
In Oxfordshire, one in December, 1830, and another, it is
said at Chimneyford, on the Isis, in December, 1831.

Sir Eobert Sibbald mentions the occurrence of the Crane in
Orkney; and Sir "William Jardine, Bart., says that it has
occurred there recently. Dr. Fleming states that a small
flock was seen in Tingwall in the autumn of 1807. Mr.
Dunn also mentions two having been shot in Zetland in
1831 and 1832; and a small flock had previously been seen
there, one of which was shot, in the autumn of 1807.

In Ireland it was met with during the great frost in 1739.

They migrate both by day and night, in the spring and
autumn, halting to rest, for the most part, in the middle of
the day. The autumnal migration takes place between the
12th. and the 20th. of October, and the same line of flight
appears to be closely kept each successive year. The spring
migration to their building-grounds takes place from the
middle of March or the middle of April according to the

CRANE. 67

forwardness or backwardness of the season. In fine weather
they proceed leisurely, but if a change is brooding, accelerate
their movements. It is said that they never fly due north
and south, but rather east and west. Excepting at the times
of migration, Cranes are only seen singly, or in pairs; but
at those seasons they collect in large flocks of several
thousands, subdividing into groups of from twenty to sixty,
one of the largest and strongest birds heading each of these,
spread out behind him into two diverging lines, each group
keeping near together. They affect lowland and flat countries,
resorting in summer to morasses, or any damp and moist
places, wrading about on the insecure ground in search of
food, which they also seek at times in the neighbouring cul-
tivated lands. It is said, however, that they prognosticate a
dry season, and in anticipation of such do not resort to
their accustomed haunts, as if aware that these would no
longer afford them the necessary protection, owing to their
dried state.

In fine weather they may not unfrequently be seen sailing
overhead, as if enjoying the pastime; sometimes they ascend
to a great height until no longer visible. They are by
nature shy birds, and for the most part apparently sedate
and pensive, but on some occasions addict themselves to
playing and gambolling about in an odd and curious manner.
They are very watchful, and sentinels give due notice of
the propinquity of any danger. Their manners are intelligent,
their gait majestic, their form being robust and at the same
time well proportioned: they are striking and noble looking
birds. They roost on the ground, flying round and round
first to reconnoitre the position before trusting themselves
to alight, and this on some open place from whence a good
look-out can be kept. They seldom perch on trees or
buildings.

If leaving her nest the Crane creeps along for a great
distance in a stooping position, before shewing herself in
flight, so that, in addition to the difficulty imposed by its
position, the nest is not easily found.

Among themselves they are very sociable, and never quarrel
one with another, or with other kinds. They are easily
tamed, and soon become attached to those who take care of
them. They are, however, susceptible of anger, and when
provoked become dangerous.

Meyer writes, 'Brehrn relates some interesting particulars

68 CRANE.

of a pair of Cranes which he had procured when the birds
were only a few days old. This pair of Cranes, a male and
a female, became soon tame, attached themselves to their
keeper, and came when called by their respective names.
Their lodging was in the farm-yard, where they very soon
took the lead, settled the quarrels of their companions, and
punished the offenders according to circumstances. They
exacted respect and kept up their own dignity, ruling over
bulls, cows, foals, etc., but declining at all times to interfere
with the pigs. When their master walked out they accom-
panied him wherever he went; and as they were not sufficiently
pinioned to prevent their flying, they sometimes remained out
for the whole day, although they invariably returned home
at night. When a flight of wild Cranes passed over, the two
birds alluded to never shewed so much as a wish to follow
them. When the male met with an accident in breaking his
wing, the female behaved with the most sensible affection,
never leaving her mate for a single instant while he was ill;
nor would she allow any stranger to approach him, until he
was able again to go about with her. Not long after the
female met with an injury which ended fatally. The male
shewed his grief in return, by going about and screaming
most piteously, and trying to raise up his sister; and after
her corpse was removed the survivor went to look for her in
every corner of the house, ran up and down stairs, and stopped
at closed doors until they were opened to let him in, in order
to satisfy his search. Not finding her anywhere, he left the
farm-yard for two or three days, then again was found, quite
disconsolate and dejected in the grounds, and allowed himself
to be driven into his stall, where he stayed for a length of
time. When the bird became full-grown he continued to
shew a wonderful share of cleverness, far beyond any other
feathered species.

For want of a companion this Crane attached himself to the
bull of the farm-yard, which he accompanied wherever he went;
marching beside the bull, or standing by when the animal
grazed, and keeping off the flies. He followed him in and
out of the stable, and when the bull did not make his
appearance soon enough in the morning, the Crane went to
fetch his companion out At times when the bull stood still
for some time in the meadow, the Crane would run a little
in advance and begin to chase round about him for amuse-
ment; then again he would turn suddenly back and come to

CRANE. 69

meet him, bowing most profoundly: and this became a
frequent amusement to the inhabitants of the village, through
which the couple passed on their way home in the afternoon
of a summer's day.

Some time after the Crane became as serviceable as a
shepherd's dog to the kine, and would not allow a single
animal to stray from the rest. When horses were being
harnessed for the plough, or put to any carriage, the Crane
placed himself before them, and made them stand quiet until
the driver was on the box or had the reins in his hands. It
was of no use for the horses to attempt to move on, for the
bird punished them sorely with blows from his bill, or spreading
out his wings stopped the way. The greatest attachment
was shewn by this Crane to the cook of the family, who
was in the habit of feeding the bird; and he made it a rule
not to go to bed until she took him up under her arm, and
conveyed him to his sleeping apartment.

When any one insulted this Crane the bird was unforgiving
and revengeful in the extreme. One day when the bird was
in pursuit of some insects in a neighbouring garden, the
owner of the garden gave him a blow with a stick, whereupon
the bird defended himself most valiantly until a succession
of blows obliged him to retire. Soon after the Crane took
his station on a bridge that led to the village, and over which
the person in question had to pass. The Crane maintained
the ground, and at last pursued the enemy until he was
obliged to take shelter in his house and shut the door.
From that time the Crane remained the determined foe of
his neighbour. The courage of the Crane in question was
wonderful, yet on one subject he was always accessible to
fear, namely, he could not endure the sight of any black
moving object, such as a black dog, cat, or crow; and his
greatest enemy was the chimney-sweeper.'

They fly with the head and neck extended, and the legs
also projecting behind. Their manner of walking whether
fast or slow, with long and regular steps, is elegant and
pleasing. When at rest or sleeping they generally stand on
one leg, the other being drawn close up, and the head
reclined backwards, the bill being thrust among the feathers.

They feed on food of various kinds, peas, corn, and other
grain and plants, worms, reptiles, and shell-fish, snails, slugs,
caterpillars, roots, cockchaffers, grasshoppers, Hies, and mice.

'The call-note of the Crane is a very loud, harsh, and

70 CKAFE.

peculiar sound, and is best described by comparing it to a
trumpet sounding the word 'curr' or £coor,' and this accounts
for the birds being heard long before they are seen. The
young birds of the year utter the word 'sheeb,' or 'weeb;'
when very young they chirp. When a great flock is on the
wing, the cry of these birds is consequently confused.'

The Crane nidificates both on low trees, stumps, and
bushes, and also on the ground; sometimes too on the top
of some old building, as well as upon a conglomerate mass
of rushes or other water plants, among high grass or reeds,
and in osier beds, and other such situations, in morasses,
and by the sides of lakes. The nest is a large structure,
made of sticks, with grass, rushes, flags, reeds, and other soft
materials. The young remain for some days in the nest, and
are fed by the parents with food prepared in their own crops.

The eggs are two — they are richly coloured, of a pale olive
green ground, blotted and spotted with darker shades of
green and olive brown. Both birds incubate them.

The unicoloured plumage of this bird is relieved by the
fine red.

Male; weight, nearly ten pounds; length, four feet or
more, up to five feet; bill, dark greenish yellow at the
base, paler towards the tip; iris, red; from the eye and
down the side of the neck is dull white; bristles spread
over the forehead and the space to the eye, which part is
dark bluish or blackish grey; the sides of the head are
greyish white; crown, bare of feathers and red in an oval
shape; neck on the back and nape, dark bluish grey, with a
hue of brown; here also is a bare place ash-coloured. Chin,
throat, and neck in the front, also dark bluish grey; breast,
fine bluish grey; back, dark bluish grey.

The wings have the first quill feather a little shorter than
the fourth, but a little longer than the fifth; the second
and third being the longest in the wing, and both of the
same length. Greater and lesser wing coverts, dark bluish
grey; primaries, black; some of the secondaries are long and
arched, as also the tertiaries, which are dark bluish grey,
varied and tipped with bluish black, their elongation forming
long hair-like plumes, the webs being unconnected, which
the bird raises or depresses at pleasure. They used formerly
to be in much request as ornaments for head dress. Tail,
bluish grey, tipped with bluish black; legs and toes, light
bluish black; claws, black.

CRAZE. 71

The female is like the male, but not quite so large, and
her plumage not so clear; the plume also is less developed.

The young birds, after being at first covered with greyish
brown down, are less varied in plumage about the head, and
the grey colour is commingled with brown. They do not
acquire their perfect dress till after the second moulting,
previous to which the crown is. covered with downy feathers.

HEEON.

HEEN. HEEONSHAW. HEEONSEWGH. COMMON HEEON.
CEESTED HEEON.

Ardea cinerea, Latham. Shaw.

" major, Linnaeus.

" cristata, Brisson.

irdea—A. Heron. Cinerea— Ash -coloured— grey.

Evkey one who is acquainted, as who is not? with Miss
Edge worth's ever entertaining stories — lacking, however, one
thing, and that the one thing — a pervading religious principle
— will remember the ineffable contempt and indignation with
which Sir Plantagenet Mowbray received the proposition of
Marvel, the Lincolnshire farmer, to purchase the Heronry
near Spalding.

There, for I shall proceed to give a catalogue of all the
Heronries in the kingdom extant and extinct, 'both great
and small/ so far as I can furnish a complete one, compiled
for the most part from the pages of /The Naturalist,' was
formerly a very great one at Cressy Hall, the seat of the
ancient Heron family, appropriately yclept. In that county
others were or are at Manby, near Brigg, the property of
the Earl of Yarborough; Downington, Skillingthorpe Wood,
near Lincoln, and Swan pool.

In Yorkshire, likewise, by the piece of water near Hems-
worth, Pontefract; at Kirby Hall, near Eoroughbridge, the
seat of Kichard Thompson, Esq.; at Walton Hall, near
Wakefield, the seat of Charles Waterton, Esq.; Watton.
Abbey, near Beverley, one of the seats of Eichard Bethell,
Esq.; and Swanland, near Hull. Also at Scorbro', near
Beverley, one of the seats of Lord Hotham; and Scarthingwell,

y_

a

1

HEBON. 73

near Ferry-bridge, a seat of Lord Hawke; also one of the
islands in Hornsea Mere.

In Wiltshire, at Bowood, the seat of the Marquis of
Lansdowne, near Melksham.

In Suffolk, at Henham Hall, the seat of Lord Stradbroke.

In Devonshire, at Shute Park, near Axminster, the seat of
Sir John George Pole, Bart.; Powderham Castle, the beautiful
seat of the Courtenays, Earls of Devon; Warleigh, the seat
of the Eev. W. Eadcliffe, near Totnes; and Sharpham on
the River Dart.

In Surrey, at Cobham Park, the seat of Harvey Combe,
Esq.; Ashley Park, the seat of Sir Henry Fletcher, Bart.;
and by Walton-on-Thames.

In Sussex, at Parham and Hurstmonceaux.

In Durham, at G-ainford, on the bank of the Tees; at
Sands, near Sedgefield; Ravens worth Castle, the seat of Lord
Ravensworth.

In Kent, at Chilham Castle, the seat of J. B. Wildman,
Esq.; at Cobham Hall, the seat of the Earl of Darnley; and
Penshurst Park, an old seat of the Earls of Sydney.

In Warwickshire, at Warwick Castle, the seat of the Earl
of Warwick.

In Norfolk, at Wolverton Wood, near Lynn; Castle Rising,
Didlington Hall, the seat of Colonel Wilson.

In Westmoreland, on Berkshire Island, Windermere; on
Rydal Lake, the property of Lady Le Fleming; and Bassen-
thwaite, on the property of Sir Henry Yane; also at Dalham
Tower, the seat of W. Carus Wilson, Esq.

In Dorsetshire, at Upton House, and Brownsea Island,
Poole, near Weymouth; Brvanston Park, near Blandford, the
seat of Lord Portman; Admiston Hall; Dewlish, the seat of
Colonel Mitchell; Kingston Lacy and Sherborne Park, the
seat of Earl Digby.

In Northamptonshire, at Bulwick, the seat of J. Fryer,
Esq.; and Althorpe, the seat of Lord Spencer.

In Middlesex, at Oatlands Park, near Shepperton.

In Cheshire, at Dunham Massey, the seat of the Earl of
Stamford; Combermere Abbey, the seat of Lord Combermere;
Hooton, the seat of Sir T. M. Stanley, Bart.; Ardley Hall,
the residence of R. G. Warburton, Esq.; and Oulton Park,
the seat of Sir Philip De Malpas Grey E^erton, Bart.

In Berkshire, in Windsor Great Park, the Royal Residence;
Joley Park, and near Reading.

74 HEBON.

In Cumberland, at Gowbay or Gowbarrow Park, near
Ullswater; and Greystock, both near Penrith.

In Hampshire, at Denny Lodge, in the New Forest; and
formerly at Heron Court, the seat of the Earl of Malmesbury;
as also at Harring worth, on the estate of Thomas Tyon, Esq.

In Essex, in Wanstead Park.

In Nottinghamshire, at Colnwiek, near Nottingham, the
seat of — Musters, Esq.

In Northumberland, at Chillingham Park, the seat of the
Earl of Tanker ville.

In Cornwall, at Trenant Wood, the seat of W. Peel, Esq.

In Shropshire, at the Mere, near Ellesmere.

In Leicestershire, at Stableford, near Melton Mowbray, on
the estate of Lord Harborough; and a pair built about the
year 1812 in a wood called Mere Hill, in the Lordship of
Prestwold, the seat of Mr. Packe, M.P., but the nest being
taken, the birds forsook the place.

In Somersetshire, at Picton, the property of Lord Carnarvon;
and at Brockley woods, near Bristol.

In Herefordshire, at the Moor, near Hay, the seat of Mrs.
Penoyre.

In Wales, in Glamorganshire, at Margam Abbey, and
Penrice Castle.

In Anglesea, near Holyhead and the Great Orme's Head.

In Flintshire, at Bodrydden, near St. Asaph, the seat of
William Shipley Conway, Esq.

In Scotland, on the Island of Islay, in Kincardineshire, at
Inglesmaldie, Fettercairn, the Sutors of Cromarty, and in
Sutherlandshire, between Aikel and Altnagalcanach ; and on
an island in a loch near Louberoy.

In Ayrshire, at Monkcastle House, and near Eglinton
Castle, and Craigie, near Kilmarnock.

In Edinburghshire, at Dalkeith Palace, the seat of His
Grace the Duke of Buccleuch; and in Morayshire by
Findhorn.

In Ireland, in the county of Dublin, at Carton, near
Maynooth, the seat of the Duke of Leinster; and in the
county of Galway, at Newport House.

The almost total discontinuance of hawking, and the con-
sequent dispersion of the great Heronries of the olden time,
carefully then preserved for the purpose, have naturally led
to the establishment of smaller settlements in various other
places, and even of single pairs from time to time. The

HERON. 75

changes that the lapse of ages introduces into the human,
colony, work a corresponding effect, in. an infinite variety of
ways, among the natural creation.

These birds are generally common in Yorkshire and other
counties; in Cornwall, near Falmouth, not common.

In Scotland they are plentiful. In Orkney they remain
all the year. There, in winter, they assemble in flocks on
the shores, and are generally observed on the lee side of an
island.

Heronries are inhabited from spring to the latter end of
summer, and are occasionally returned to by individual birds
in the winter months from time to time. They are clung
to with great tenacity by their occupants.

The Heron visits the northern countries of Europe — Russia,
Siberia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Feroe Islands, Iceland,
and Greenland; and wanders southwards over other parts of
the continent, being the most plentiful in Holland. It is
found also in northern Africa, and, it is said, at the Cape;
likewise in Madeira. In Asia — about the Caucasian range,
and in India, Japan, and Java.

Our Herons stay with us throughout the year, and others
are indeed compelled hitherward by severe weather: in other
continental countries a similar movement southwards is made,
such migration being effected as well at a high as at a
low elevation. In August, 1849, one was shot at Stoke
Newington, near Highbury, Middlesex, close to London, and
another was also seen near Highbury, in July, 1851.

They are shy and solitary birds, and make off at once if
approached, when standing in ever so apparently listless a
manner by the side of the pool, or the margin of the
stream. Clear water is preferred, on account of the better
view it affords of their prey. I remember well one fine
summer evening, when a boy, seeing one 'light at a bend in
a small river, where I thought I could manage to get him
within range, and after running home for a gun, and stealing
close to the ground till near him, when he at last perceived
his danger and rose suddenly to escape it, bringing him
down by a shot through the neck. It was a young bird,
and the only one, I am glad to say, I ever killed, or, I
believe, ever fired at — alas! 'tempus fugit.'

If not cut off, they are said to be long-lived birds. They
are formidable if attacked at close quarters, defending them-
selves, so to speak, both with tooth and nail. They are

76 HEEOtf.

always objects of interest, and comport well with the retired
unfrequented scenes to which, and to which only, they seem
naturally to belong. There you may see the Heronshaw for
hours standing on one leg, on the ground or a branch of a
tree, the neck retracted and the bill resting on the breast,
'chewing the cud of sweet or bitter reflection,' according as
he has been comparatively satisfied, or is waiting for a
further supply of food. One might almost fancy that he
was musing in pensive melancholy over the altered times
which have changed protection and proscription, and fore-
shadow, to look on the dark side of things, the future
extirpation of the English branch of his race. Royal game
in the days of falconry, and prized also for the table, now-
a-days he is the object of all but universal hostility, and
his conspicuous appearance marks him out as a victim. But
the 'silent system' chiefly during the day-time, interrupted
only by some occasional flights, the consequence oftentimes
of being disturbed, for as soon as the lowering twilight
begins to give notice of returning night, then listlessness is
exchanged for excitement, and inactivity for movement — the
bird walks about in an unsettled manner, and stretches his
wings preparatory to making use of them to convey him to
his fishing-ground.

Seen for the most part at other times of the year in the
singular or the dual number, these birds become gregarious
in the building-season. An island in a lake is then a
favourite resort, but some leave it for the adjoining inland.
They are indeed to be observed together in greater or less
numbers at other times, perhaps in groups of from a dozen
to thirty, but this, I fancy, more from a community of
purpose, than from an instinctive desire to congregate. They
appear, as before said, to select the lee or sheltered side of
any island or cliff when engaged in fishing. Several battles
take place sometimes between them and the Books, for the
possession of the same trees, but the Herons, as might be
supposed, are too powerful for their opponents. At other
times, as if in revenge for this injury, Books may frequently
be seen chasing and dashing at them in the air, following
them for a long way, and buffeting them at every opportunity.
Meyer says 'It is remarkable how alarmed Herons are during
storms of thunder and lightning, starting at every flash, and
tumbling about as if broken-winged. During rainy weather
these birds appear very dejected, and sit in the most drooping

HEKON.

77

attitudes imaginable; they appear to suffer also from frost
and cold.' If taken young, Herons may be easily reared, but
not otherwise. Two Herons have been known to fight so
desperately, that one of them allowed itself to be taken with
the hand.

The flight of the Heron, in which the wings are much
arched, and the neck doubled back, is slow and heavy, and
the long legs are carried straight out, projecting behind as if
a tail: the legs are drooped before alighting. They are able
to swim, but perform the operation slowly. Though generally
speaking of an awkward and ungainly appearance, yet the
different curvatures assumed by this bird in its positions
give it a line of beauty wThich the ornithologist at all events
can appreciate and admire.

Herons are very voracious birds, and always seem hungry.
Their usual food consists of trout, flounders, eels, carp, and
other fish, which they swallow head foremost; water-lizards,
snakes, toads, frogs, rats (both land and water,) and mice;
the young of other birds, beetles, and other insects, shell-fkh,
shrimps, and the roots and blossoms of plants: a trout has
been seen taken about four pounds weight. A curious cir-
cumstance is recorded in 'The Naturalist,' vol. i, page 61, by
Mr. Mc' In tosh, as related to him by an eye-witness, who,
having shot a Snipe, it was pounced upon by a Heron, not
previously observed by him, and shaken by it in his bill
till satisfied that it was quite dead. Another has been
known to quit the water to kill or disable an eel which it
had caught by beating it against the ground; and again
another, a tame one, to swim out ten or a dozen feet to
try to seize the brood of a Moorhen on a fallen tree.

The hair, feathers, and bones of their prey are cast up in
pellets, after the manner of the Owls. 'It is perhaps wTorth
remarking, that when the Herons drop any of the food which
they bring to their young among the trees of the Heronry,
they make no attempt to recover it, but, probably from a
consciousness of their inability to rise from the ground in a
confined space, allow it to remain where it falls.' The result
is often beneficial to the neighbours, and a good pannier of
fish may often be collected under a large Heronry. The prey
is brought from a distance, it may be, of two miles or more
to the young, and much ado with snapping and chuckling
the latter make on the bringing home of each fresh supply.
They feed ordinarily in the mornings and evenings, but

78 HERON.

when they have a young family to provide for, are obliged
to forage throughout the days. Standing motionless in the
shallow edge of the river or lake, the head, as before remarked,
drawn back in the attitude of expectation, you may see them
watching, with the patience for which all other anglers
ought to be equally proverbial, for a 'bite.' True waders,
their food is mostly picked up in the water, but none is
refused that occurs elsewhere. If dropped from the bill, it
will be picked up again more than once at the place of
capture. It is very rarely indeed that the Heron misses its
mark. It strikes with the most unerring precision, and
transfixes the quarry with the strong blow that it gives.

Their note is a harsh, wild ciy, uttered on the wing, and
frequently repeated, 'the word 'craigh' uttered in a lengthened
maimer, with cracked and high-pitched voices,' as the bird
heavily wends its way to any accustomed haunt by the bank
of some river, reedy lake, or rushy pond, the margin of
some muddy estuary, or creek, or the edge of some stagnant
swamp or quaggy morass. It is also heard while on
migration.

The Heron builds, according to circumstances, either on
the ground, in which situation Montagu saw several, or on
trees of any sort; also, it is said, on cliffs, preferring situations
in the vicinity of water. Many nests are often placed on it
together — as many as eighty have been counted in one tree.
Preparations for nidification are made about the month of
April. The nest is placed on the very summit of the tree,
or as close to it as the case will admit of, and also near
the extremity of the branch, the size of the bird not admitting
of a ready passage inwards. The nest, flat in shape, is rather
small for the size of the tenants that have to inhabit it, but
in some cases is much larger than in others, probably from
an old one being built on. It is made of stick and twigs,
and has a lining of wool or hair, rushes, dry grasses, water-
Hags, straws, or any soft materials.

Two broods are reared in the season, and both parents
assist in the work of providing the young with food, and
the male also feeds the female while sitting. If alarmed for
their young, they soar about aloft over the nests.

The eggs are generally three in number, sometimes, it is
said, four or five, and of a green colour. They varv in shape,
some being pointed at both ends, and others only at the
lower end. They are hatched in about three weeks, and it

HEEO>T. 79

is five or six more before the young birds are able to quit
the nest.

The finest specimen of this bird that I think I ever saw,
is preserved in the hall of the Eectory at Swinhope, the
residence of my friend, the Eev. E. P. Alington. It was shot
in the parish of Thoresway, Lincolnshire, February 2 1st.,
1853. The following measurements are taken from it: —

Male; weight, only about three pounds, or from that to
three and a half, according to the condition the bird is in
from a plentiful or a scanty supply of food; length, three
feet two inches and a half; bill, dull yellow, darkest towards
the point. The edges of both mandibles are serrated and
\ery sharp, the lower fitting closely into the upper — woe
betide the fish that gets between them. From the base of
the bill a narrow streak runs over the eye, and a larger one
which merges into the occipital feathers. Iris, yellow, a
streak of black over it rises from the base of the bill; fore-
head, head on the sides, and crown, white. The plume is
seven inches and a half long, and of a glossy dark slate-
colour, in some specimens glossy dusky black; neck behind
and nape, grey; in front the neck is white, or greyish white,
variegated, in a long list or stripe, with elongated spots of
dark bluish grey, forming a double row; chin, throat, and
neck in front, pure white. Breast above and below, greyish
white, with streaks of black on the latter portion; the
elongated feathers on its uppers are pale grey, and many of
them pure white. There are two patches of yellow down on
the front, concealed by the other feathers. Back, dark grey.

The wings expand to the width of five feet; the first quill
feather is of equal length with the fifth; the second, third,
and fourth are also nearly of the same length, and the longest.
Greater and lesser wing coverts, grey: primaries and secondaries,
dusky black. Tail, short, dark slate-colour, in some dusky
black. The legs, when stretched out behind, extend five
inches and a half beyond the tail; in colour they and the
toes are greenish yellow, tinged with brown; the middle one
is serried on the inner edge; above the knee the legs are
ting-ed with orange. Claws, brown.

The female resembles the male, but her colours are more
dull. The plume is deficient, and the feathers on the breast
are less elongated.

The young are at first unsightly in appearance, but soon
advance in size; during the first and part of the second year

80 HEKOtf.

they are destitute of the plume, and of the elongated feathers
on the front of the neck. The bill has the upper mandible
greenish or blackish brown, the lower one greenish yellow.
Head, crown, neck, and nape, ash-colour; throat and neck in
front, ash-colour, with dull dusky grey streaks; back, grey,
with tinges of brown. The legs above the knee, greenish
yellow, below, and the toes, pale brown, tinged with yellow,
or else grey.

They do not attain the full plumage till the end of the
second year.

The plate is from a design by the Rev. R. P. Alington. I
will thank any one to shew me a better.

81

PURPLE HERON.

CEESTED PTJEPLE HEKOX. PIJEPLE CEESTED HERON.
AFEICAX HEROX.

Ardea purpurea, LlNHJEUS.

caspica,

Pexnant. MoNTACHL

variegata, Latham.

rufa, Latham.

botaurus, Gmelin.

stettaris major. Ray. Willoughby.

Ardea — A Heron. Purpurea — Purple-coloured.

The European range of the P'irple Heron extends from
Holland, where Sir "William Jardine has observed that it is
not uncommon — France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, .and
Switzerland, to Russia, Turkey, Siberia, and the distant
borders of the Black and the Caspian Seas. In Africa also,
from Nubia to the Cape of Good Hope; and in Asia — in
Tartary, India, and Java, and the Philippine Islands.

Several specimens of this elegant and beautiful species have
been obtained: — In Norfolk three or four, one of them in
May, 1830. In Yorkshire one, a male, at Temple Thorpe,
near Leeds, the 24th. of May, 1S50; and one near Harpham,
in the East-Riding, on the Lowthorpe stream, one, if I may
be allowed a brief digression, of the best trout waters that I
know; and where, when I have been able to spare time for
an occasional holiday, I have, as one of the 'favoured few/
thanks to the kindness of the St. Quintin family, had by no
means indifferent success in fly-fishing; as also in another
preserve on the same river, a little lower down.

Anglers, or at all events that branch of the family to which
alone I belong, that which disdains every means of capture
but the artificial fly, are, it is perhaps too well known, apt,

VOL. v. G

82 PURPLE HEEON.

though with the most perfect absence of the wish to deceive,
to magnify the size of what they have taken, and still more
that of what they have just missed taking. A pair of scales,
however, with their corresponding weights admit of no such
deception; and the following notes out of my fly-fishing book
will be allowed to bear out the assertion just made: — '1848.
Lowthorpe, July 20th., nineteen brace; put in one brace and
a half.' 'September 9th., seventeen brace and a half; put in
five brace; the rest weighed twenty-two pounds.' '1849.
June 18th., twenty-one brace; put in twelve brace: of the
rest, two weighed two pounds one ounce each; two two
pounds all but one ounce each; and the next two three
pounds between them.' '1851. June 16th., seventeen brace;
put in nine brace.' 'October 1st., eleven brace and a half;
put id eight brace.' '1853. August 2nd., thirteen brace
and a half; one fish caught with an artificial minnow: put
in two brace and a half.' 'August 26th., eight brace; put
in one brace and a half: the largest weighed three pounds
all but two ounces; the next three pounds all but three
ounces and a half; the next one pound and three quarters.'
'September 30th., thirteen brace and a half; put in seven
brace.'

I think that even a Heron himself would have been
satisfied with equal success. I have been for the most part
in the habit of using a rod and flies of my own making.
There is an idea abroad, if I may for one more moment
digress, that salmon-fishing is a much more difficult species
of the art than trout-fishing; but this is altogether a mistake:
a good fly-fisher is, if he likes, a good salmon-fisher. A few
years since I stayed a fortnight with some friends at Kelso,
on their return from a tour in Scotland, and, for the first
time in my life, went out salmon-fishing in the Tweed almost
every day; and, with the exception of one day, when I only
took a large sea-trout, had not a blank day, nor ever lost
a fish that I had once hooked; though on one occasion the
reel, or pirn, to speak Scots, was out of order. But this is
wandering a long way from the quiet trout stream at Low-
thorpe, where I hope to have a clay or two yet for years to
come, if spared. — 'Flow on thou shining river.'

One near London. In Cornwall one, which alighted on a
fishing-boat, two or three leagues from the coast; and another
in the parish of St. Burians, near the Land's End, in April,
1850. In Devonshire one, near Plymouth, in February, 1839.

PUEPLE HEEOtf. 83

In Suffolk one, some time in the month of November, 1835,
obtained on the borders of a large piece of water, known by
the name of King's Fleet, near the mouth of the Woodbridge
river. In Sussex one, an immature bird, at Catsfield, in
October, 1851. Two others also in the same county.

In Ireland one was obtained.

These birds breed in society like the last-described species,
and are also of a shy, solitary, and retired disposition. When
watching for prey they stand similarly — with the neck much
retracted, and drawn in between the shoulders. They frequent,
as may be imagined, aquatic and marshy districts. They
frequent the same spots, and in those remain the greater
part of the day, only roaming from them early in the morning
or late in the evening. Meyer says, 'It is remarkable how
this bird often precipitates itself out of its hiding-place from
behind some stump or water-plant; for, like many other birds
that are fond of hiding, it thinks itself secure until a nervous
feeling makes it run into imminent danger, by discovering
itself when any person comes near.' 'It will sit for hours
together at rest, with its neck stretched out in a straight
line.' 'During windy weather it rarely flies about.' They do
very well in confinement, if brought up from the nest, but
their formidable bills are sometimes dangerous.

These birds feed on fish, water insects, and small reptiles
and animals. As many as fifty small fish are not unfrequently
found in one bird.

The note is a harsh croak.

With regard to the nidification and eggs of this bird, the
following is the account given by Mr. Hewitson, as communi-
cated to him by Mr. Hoy: — 'The Purple Heron does not
begin to breed so early as the Common Heron, the end of May
being the time of incubation. They breed in society like the
Common Heron, very frequently in low trees, in plantations
of alder and willow, in the vicinity of rivers and large inland
waters, the nests being only a few feet above the ground,
upon which they are likewise sometimes placed in swamps
overgrown with tall rushes, and in extensive tracts of reeds;
they are large and flat, and are composed entirely of sticks,
the finer towards the inside, or lined with species of dry
sedge and rushes.' They are placed a few yards from the
water; in shape they are flat and broad. Two or three nests
are occasionally found near each other.

'The eggs are commonly four, rarely live, in number, and

84 PTJEPLE HEEON.

differ considerably in size and shape, as well as in colour. ■
They are generally dull green. Both parents carefully attend
to the young until they are able to fish for themselves.

Male; weight, two pounds and three quarters, to nearly
three pounds; length, about three feet two inches; bill, fine
yellow, the ridge and tip shaded with brown; a narrow stripe
of black proceeds from the base of the bill backwards to the
nape; iris, pale yellow. Forehead and crown, black tinged with
blue, the feathers lengthening into a long narrow crest, the
filaments of a chesnut colour, while a line of the same colour
is carried down the back; on each side of the neck a narrow
stripe descends, mingling with the more irregularly dark edges
of the lengthened plume; the upper part of the neck in front
is white, shaded off into the brown of the sides where the
black stripes do not prevail; on the front of the neck each
feather is elongated into the attenuated form, the colours a
mixture of pale buff, chesnut, grey, black, white, and purple
red. Chin and throat, pale buff or white; breast on the upper
part, black, met on each side by deep purple chesnut, or
brownish red, the middle rich maroon shaded off below into
a mixture of that colour and dark slate grey. The plumes
of the back are narrowed and elongated, the narrow tips
being paler, and those at the sides the longest, and of a
pale reddish brown; the one side of each is yellowish white,
the other black, 'and thus irregular lines of these colours
are formed, until the long tips become entirely yellowish
white.'

The wings have the first quill feather the shortest, the
second, third, fourth, and fifth equal in length, and the longest:
the edges of the wings are white. Greater and lesser wing
coverts, dark brownish grey with purple and green reflections;
primaries, dark brownish grey; greater and lesser under wing
coverts, chesnut, the colour extending over the point of the
shoulder. Tail, dark brownish or bluish grey, with purple and
greenish, reflections, the two centre feathers dark slate grey;
upper tail coverts, brownish grey, also with greenish reflections.
Legs in front, both above and below the knee, dark reddish
brown, tinged with greenish yellow; behind yellow; toes, also
brown — reddish brown tinged with greenish yellow; the middle
toe is very long; under parts of the toes yellowish, Claws
black, lengthened, slender, and not much bent.

The female is like the male.

The young, until three years old, have the upper bill

PTJitPLE HEEON. 85

blackish brown, the under one pale yellow; iris, pale yellow;
the crest does not appear. Forehead, blackish grey; crown,
grey, tinged with reddish brown, as is the back of the head;
the neck, pale reddish brown in colour, has the stripes of
black only slightly indicated, and the elongated feathers are
wanting; in front it is yellowish white, with longitudinal
black spots. Breast below, reddish white; back, deep grey,
the feathers margined with reddish brown. Tail, deep grey,
the feathers margined with reddish brown.

'In the immature bird brown is the prevailing colour, the
upper plumes being all broadly edged with it. The crown
and occiput, chesnut, without a crest, and the sides and fore
part of the neck yellowish white, marked on both with
lengthened dashes of brownish black; no elongated feathers
either there or upon the back.' — Sir William Jar dine.

GREAT WHITE HERON.

GEE AT WHITE EGRET. GREAT EGRET.

Ardea alba, Pennant. Montagu.

" egretta, Fleming. Temminck.

" Candida, Brisson.

" alba major, Ray.

u egrettoides, Gmelin.

Ardea— A Heron. Alba— White.

The Great White Heron is, or has been, found, in various
parts of Europe occasionally, namely, in Germany, France,
Turkey, Hungary, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Greece, and the
Islands of the Grecian Archipelago, and in Sweden. In Asia,
likewise, in Asia Minor, India, Great Tartary, and the
neighbourhood of the Black and the Caspian Seas, and Persia.

Of this species one was seen on the borders of the River
Avon, in Devonshire, in the autumn of the year 1805; three
or four of the Common Herons having been previously
observed in company with it. Another on the banks of the
River Stour, in Essex, on the 3rd. of October, 1834; one
having been also noticed in the spring on the Oakley shores,
as a third was subsequently, by the Rev. Revett Shepherd,
and the Rev. William Whitear, by the River Orwell. One is
mentioned by Montagu, on the authority of Dr. Latham, as
having been killed in Cumberland, and another as having
been seen by the Rev. Mr. Vaughan in Devonshire. In York-
shire, as communicated to the British Association, at their
session at Newcastle, in 1838, by Arthur Strickland, Esq.,
one was seen about the year 1825, or 1826, at Hornsea
Mere, in the East-Riding. One at New Hall, shot by John
Townend, Esq.; the fact communicated by Dr. Farrar to Mr.

GREAT WHITE HERON.

GBEAT WHITE HEE02T. 87

Thomas Allis. Another, in full summer plumage, was shot
by an husbandman at Scorborough, near Beverley, a seat of
Lord Hotham, about the year 1835. In Nottinghamshire,
one near Osberton, the seat of Gr. S. Foljambe, Esq. In
Lincolnshire one, and in Oxfordshire, one on the banks of
the Isis, in September, 1833. Another was also seen in
Cumberland on the shores of the Sol way; and one was shot,
a few years since, near Thorney Abbey, Cambridgeshire, of
which J. R. Little, Esq., of St. John's College, Cambridge,
has written me word.

In Scotland, one, in Haddingtonshire, near the village of
Tyninghame, on the Frith of Forth.

Their migratory journeys, says Meyer, are performed in
the day-time, at a great elevation, by two to four birds in
number.

These birds haunt still pools, and other such places, in
which they wade in search of prey. They often perch on
the highest parts of lofty trees. They are of a somewhat
shy nature, but sociable among themselves, yet exclusively
so. They are, however, soon domesticated, and live for many
years — ornaments to the poultry yard.

They feed on fish, reptiles, molluscous animals, water-insects,
their larvae, worms, and any young birds that are so unfor-
tunate as to come within their reach. These doubtless are
most sought towards night-fall, when the 'pale cold moon'
glimmers on the water in the mournful solitudes which are
the general resort of this and its kindred species. If by
chance, or, it may be, not by chance, you are alone, in such
a place, at such a time, when either a dead silence prevails,
or the wind sighs and soughs through the uncultivated
wastes, how pleasing is the melancholy which cannot but be
felt. You seem spell-bound to the spot, and while the
lowering darkness evokes an indescribable emotion — akin to
fear, you yet shrink from breaking the charm, and are loth
to leave the mysterious scene.

The note, a mere wild cry, is described by Meyer as not
very loud, and resembling the syllable 'rah.'

The nest, a very loose structure, built of sticks, reeds, tlags,
and rushes, and lined with dry grass or leaves, is placed
generally on the ground, but sometimes on low trees, almost
always, according to Audubon, overhanging the water, and
many being placed in contiguity, as in the case of the common
species. The same situation is resorted to, and the old nest

gg GREAT WHITE HERON.

repaired year after year, by the same pair. Low marshy
places, covered with trees, by the sides of ponds, lakes, and
swamps, are those appropriated to nidification, and sometimes
flat islands at a distance from the main land.

The male bird feeds the female while she is engaged in
sitting; and when the young are hatched both parents unite
in supplying their wants.

The eggs are three in number, and of a pale bluish green
colour.

Male; length, three feet and about four or five or six
inches; bill, yellow at the base, blackish brown towards the
tip; iris, orange yellow, round it the bare space is pale
green. The feathers at the occiput are rather elongated and
thick. Head, crown, neck, nape, chin, throat, breast, back,
wings, greater and lesser wing coverts, primaries, secondaries,
tertiaries, greater and lesser under wing coverts, tail, and
upper tail coverts, which are long, loose, and pendant,
white. These feathers, continued down from the upper part
of the back, were formerly in great request as plumes for
head-dress, and are still much worn by the Turks, and other
eastern nations, for that purpose. Legs, toes, and claws,
almost black, the former tinged transparently with pale
yellowish.

The female is like the male.

The young do not acquire the elongated feathers on the
back of the head, and the lower part of the front of the
neck, until the third year. Bill, blackish green, tinged with
yellow; legs, greenish black.

wMm^f

LE EGRET.

89

LITTLE EGRET.

EGRET HEEOX.

Ardea garzetta, Pennant. Montagu.
^.rdea — A Heron. Garzetta — ?

The elegant and graceful Egret, whose whole plumage is
white as the driven snow, resembles the preceding one — 'sic
parvis compenere magna' — in all but size; and is likewise
assignable to the same localities, as being found in Europe
occasionally — in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Sicily,
France, Spain, the south of Russia, Hungary, Turkey, Sardinia,
and the islands of the Grecian Archipelago; and likewise met
with in Asia — in Persia, and the neighbourhood of the Black
Sea and the Caspian Sea. So also in Africa — in Egypt and
Nubia in the east, and Senegal in the west.

Specimens have been recorded as having occurred in this
country as follows: — In Hampshire, one near Christehurch, in
the beginning of July, 1822; in Cornwall, two near Penzance,
in April, 1854. In Warwickshire, two or three near Sutton
Coldfield; in Devonshire, one at Flatoars, on the River Dart,
in the year 1816; one also, mentioned by Montagu, in Anglesea;
it was a bird of the second year. A. Cleveland, Esq. mentions
in the 'Zoologist,' page 3116, that one was shot in the south
of Devon, in April, 1S51.

In Ireland, Mr. Templeton records one as having been
shot in the harbour of Cork.

Meyer says 'The localities usually chosen by this species,
are generally the swampy banks of rivers and lakes, where
the flags and reeds are of low growth; or the vicinity of
woods and large trees, in which the birds roost at night.'

90 LITTLE EGEET.

'On the wing, the Little Egret is rather quicker in flight
than the larger species, but in windy weather it is very helpless,
and is obliged to skim low over the bushes and reeds on its
passage from one piece of water to another. But when the
weather is fine, this bird may be seen, if startled up by
intrusion of any kind, circling up high in the air, as if
surveying the neighbourhood before it finally decides upon its
course.'

If taken young, they are easily domesticated to a certain
extent, and are gentle and harmless in their manners and
habits. The long feathers, Bewick says, were formerly used
to decorate the helmets of warriors, as now the turbans of the
Persians and the Turks, and the head-dresses of European
ladies.

They feed on fish, frogs, and other small reptiles, water
insects and their larvae, and worms. 'The manner in which
it obtains its food is by walking stealthily along shore in a
stooping attitude, with the head drawn back; as soon as it
perceives a desirable object, the Egret darts its pointed bill
like lightning upon it, and seldom fails to obtain its prey.'

This species, like the others, breeds in marshy places, either
on the ground among reeds, or on the top of a willow stump,
or on the branches of a low tree, about half a dozen feet
from the ground. The nest is made of dry sticks and rushes,
flags, reeds, and grass; the latter being placed inside.

The eggs are four or five, or six, in number, and, one
account says of the same white colour as the bird, or another,
of a pale bluish green colour.

Male; weight, about one pound or upwards; length, one
foot eight to one foot ten or eleven inches, or even two feet;
bill, bluish black, the base of the upper one pale ash-colour;
iris, yellow; the eyelids, pale green. A dependent crest, so to
call it, springs from the back of the head; it is composed of
two narrow feathers, four inches in length. Head, crown, and
neck, the lower part of which is also adorned with similar
long feathers, nape, chin, throat, breast, and back, white; hair-
like plumes spring from its centre, their ends curve upwards,
and the bird, if suddenly disturbed or alarmed, generally sets
them up.

The wings have the first and fourth quill feathers equal in
length, the second and third the longest, and also of equal
length, 'inter se.' Greater and lesser wing coverts, primaries,
secondaries, tertiaries, greater and lesser under wing coverts,

LITTLE EGBET. 91

tail, and tail coverts, white. Legs, bright black above the
knee on the bare part, and the upper half of the part below
it is dark yellowish green; toes, also blackish green with a
tinge of yellow; claws, dusky black.

The young are at first, it is said, greyish white; they
are without the elongated filaments to the feathers on the
back of the head and the lower part of the neck in front
and the back. The lower bill is whitish for more than half
its length from the base.

92

BUFF-BACKED HERON.

LITTLE WHITE HEEO^.
BED-BILLED HEE03S". ETJEOTJS-BACKED EGEET.

Ardea aqumoctialis, Pennant. Montagu.

" rvssata, Selby. Jenyns.

" affinis, HORSFIELD.

Ardea— A Heron. Jgquinoctialis—IZqvLmoctlal*

This species of Heron is a native of the southern parts
of Europe — in Turkey, about the mouths of the Danube, on
that intermediate sort of 'neutral* soil which 'nee tellus est
nee mare,' as also in the Crimsea — both localities so full of
interest at the present moment to others than ornithologists.
In Dalmatia, and near the Caucasian range of mountains.
In Asia, it likewise occurs in India and Japan, according to
M. Temminck; also in the Dukkun, Himalaya, and Nepaul,
where it is plentiful in Upper Hindostan, and by the bank
of the famous Gunga, as also in Java, Sunda, and the adjacent
islands.

One specimen, a female, was shot by Mr. F. Cornish, at
South Allington, in the parish of Chivelstone, near Kings-
bridge, in Devonshire, in the end of October, 1805. It was
observed for several days in the same field, attending a herd
of cows.

It appeared to be by no means shy.

It fed on insects.

Male; length, about one foot eight inches; bill, yellow,
darker at the tip; the upper mandible slightly curved; iris,
bright yellow. Head on the crown, back, and sides, of an
orange colour, but the base of each feather white, the orange-
coloured ends formed of the loose unconnected filaments of

BUFF-BACKED HERON. 93

the web. Neck behind and nape, shining white; chin, throat,
and breast above, white, tinged with golden yellow, the latter
below pure white; back above, white, on the middle part
brilliant orange, and the filaments of the feathers sufficiently
long to reach beyond the ends of the cl sed wings; on the
lower part again the back is white.

Greater and lesser wing coverts, primaries, secondaries,
tertiaries, greater and lesser under wing coverts, tail, and tail
coverts, all shining white. Legs, yellow, the joints darker
and tinged with lead-colour; toes, also darker yellow, and
tinged with lead-colour. The middle claw is pectinated.

The male and female are alike in plumage.

Toung; bill, orange yellow; iris, pale yellow; crown of the
head, buff; the feathers on the back a little elongated, but
scarcely to be called a crest; neck on the upper part in front,
buff, on the lower part the feathers are more elongated, and,
though not slender, hang detached over the upper part of the
breast. Nape, chin, throat, breast, and back, snowy white.
The wings, when closed, completely cover the tail. Greater
and lesser wing coverts, primaries, secondaries, tertiaries,
greater and lesser under wing coverts, and the tail, which is
slightly forked, and tail coverts, all snowy white. Legs on
the joints, and the bare part above them for about an inch
and a half, nearly black, tinged with green; toes and claws
also nearly black, with a tinge of green.

94

SQUACCO HERON.

BEB-LEGGffiD HEBOST. DWAEF HEBO:*. SENEGAL BITTEBN.
SWABIAN BITTEE-S". SQIJAIOTTA HEBON. CASTAKEOT7S HEBOX.

Ardea senegalensis, Gmbun.

" ralloides, Scopoli.

" comata, Pallas.

" squalotta, Gmelin.

" castanea, Gmelin.

" erythropus, Tar. j8, Latham.

" pumila, Latham.

u marsigli, Gmeltn.

Cancrofagus rufus, BRISSOK.

" luteus, Brisson.

drdea—A Heron.

Senegale?isis— Of Senegal.

This kind appertains to Europe, being found in Turkey,
Hungary, Sclavonia, Italy, Greece, and its islands; France,
and Sicily; also at times in Switzerland, Silesia, Germany,
and Holland; likewise to Asia — in Persia, Syria, and Arabia,
and along the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, in which
region it is abundant; and to Africa — in Nubia and Egypt.

In Yorkshire one of these birds was killed on the low
grounds below Askern, in the West-Riding; other specimens
have occurred in various other counties — one in Devonshire,
near Kingsbridge, in July, 1840, as also in Somersetshire, in
1S25. near Bridge water. In Cornwall, one near Penzance,
about the year 1844, and one seen at Hayle a few days
after; one at Scilly in the autumn of 1842; also in Devon-
shire; Hampshire; Wiltshire, where one was shot at Boyton
by Mr. Lambert, in 1795. Suffolk; Norfolk, where one of
those procured had entangled itself in a fishing-net, hung up
to dry, by Ormesby Broad, in December, 1820. Bewick

SQTTACCO HERON. 95

mentions the occurrence of this one, a male, a few miles from
Yarmouth, as recorded in the 'Globe' newspaper on the 4th.
of that month. A second was shot at Oulton, in May,
1831; another near Yarmouth, in the same month of the
same year; and a third at Ormesby, in June, 1834. Cam-
bridgeshire, a fine adult bird in perfect plumage; and
Lincolnshire. One in the county of Durham, near Stockton-
on-Tees, on the 9th. of October, 1852.

They migrate usually in April and September, travelling
generally together, but unfrequently only in pairs.

It inhabits the banks of morasses and stagnant pools, the
sides of rivers, lakes, and ponds, and the 'Low Countries' that
border on the sea-shore in some parts. During the day it
frequently roosts or sleeps in open situations, or at most
under the shelter of some tree or bush, but otherwise
wanders about in search of food for itself or its young,
which it is said only to seek during the day-time. This
species is fond of associating with cattle and animals. It is
said at times to perch on trees, particularly in the spring
season of the year. They are easily tamed, if brought up
from the nest, and are ornamental birds in a poultry yard,
and at the same time quiet and harmless.

Its flight is soft and light, but not quick, performed with
even beatings of the wings, the legs being stretched out
behind, and the head and neck drawn in towards the body.
On the ground it is active, though not quick in its move-
ments. It stands upright when at rest, with the neck
shortened, and fronts the wind.

It feeds on small fishes, molluscous animals, frogs, and
insects; and in search of these it stalks, like the other
birds of its class, through the bogs and morasses, where they
are the most to be found.

The note is described as resembling the word 'carr,' or
'charr,' and is said to be only uttered if the bird is alarmed,
or is about taking wing, though this it frequently does
without making any attempt at calling out. The odd name
of Squacco, which this bird bears, is said to have been
given to it by the natives about Bologna, in Italy: I con-
jecture from some fancied resemblance to its note.

The nest is said to be built on trees.

Male; length, about one foot live or from that to one
foot seven inches; bill, pale bluish green for nearly two
thirds from the base, darker in colour towards the point;

96 SQTTACCO HEBOK.

iris, bright yellow; forehead, yellowish brown, each feather
bordered with black. The feathers on the crowa of the
head are pale yellowish brown, streaked longitudinally with
dark lines, the feathers becoming elongated towards the back
of the head, with a dark line along each outer edge. "The
feathers forming the occipital plume are eight, or nine, (or
ten,) in number, and from four to six inches in length;
lanceolate, pointed, pure white along the centre, bounded on
each side with a blackish line, with a very narrow terminal
margin of white. The colour a pale reddish brown in those
upon the surface, passing into a delicate buff-colour in those
underneath.' Neck on the sides and front downwards, rich
yellowish buff; chin, throat, and breast on the upper part,
pure white; below the latter is pale orange cream-colour.
Back above, pale orange cream-colour, lower down rich
yellowish buff, with a tinge of violet-colour, the feathers
elongated, the webs disunited, each filament having the
appearance of a single hair. These long feathers reach to
the end of the wings when closed.

The wings have the first and third quill feathers equal in
length, and only a very little shorter than the second, which
is the longest in the wing; the axillary plume pure white.
Primaries, secondaries, and some of the tertiaries, white; part
of the latter tinged with buff. Tail, pure white; tail coverts,
also white; legs, dusky yellowish brown, tinged with red; about
the joint, greenish yellow; toes, brown above, yellow underneath;
claws, black.

The female resembles the male, but the crest is usually
not so long.

In the you:)g the upper bill is brown, tinged with dark
green; the under one yellowish green. The head is without
the occipital crest. The descending marks on the neck are
longer and broader, and the lighter ground-colour more
mixed with brown; th:*oat, white; back, reddish brown, but
the dorsal plumes are wanting. Greater and lesser wing
cov rts, of a brown colour, tinged with buff, with longitu-
di al streaks of a darker hue. The primaries have the
exterior webs ash grey, and the interior ones white; tertiaries,
reddish brown at the ends; legs and toes, yellowish green.

:-:ron.

87

NIGHT HERON.

NIGHT KAVEN. SPOTTED HEROF.

GAEDENIAK HEBON. LESSER ASH-COLOURED HERON

JAMAICA NIGHT HERON.

Nycticorax europceus,

Stephens,

Ardea nycticorax,

LlN>"JEUS.

" gardem,

Gmelix.

" jamaciensu,

Gmelix.

" crisea,

LlNN.£U8.

« badia,

Gmelin.

" cracra,

Latham.

** obscura.

Latham.

fy*— Night. Cor ax -

-k Kaven.

Europ

Europoeus — European.

This curious bird is described by most authors as a native
of each of the four quarters of the globe. In Europe, it is
said to be especially abundant in Hungary, and occurs also
in Denmark and Norway, on the shores of the Baltic, and
in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. In Asia — in Persia,
and the neighbourhood of the Caucasus, India, China, and
Japan. In Africa — at the Cape of Good Hope; and in North
America, in which latter rogion it is the most abundant, that
is, if it be indeed the same species, but the Prince of Canino
doubts their identity, and Wilson says that the American
bird is larger than the European one. This, however, I
believe, is the case with other species that are certainly the
same.

In England, one was shot near London, in 1722, and
preserved in the Lcverian Museum, the collection of Sir
Ash.ton Lever. One near Thame, in Oxfordshire, by Lord
Kirkwall, in 170S; one was shot in Norfolk, ID May, LS24,
out of the North Gates, Yarmouth; it was perched on a

TOL. V. H

98 NIGHT HEEON.

fruit tree — a curious instance, aa W. E. Fisher, Esq. has
observed in a letter to me, of the odd places in which birds
will alight on their first arrival. In America, however, but
the species there, as I have already remarked, may be distinct,
it would appear from what I have presently to quote from
Audubon, that they must frequently resort to trees, as it is
on them that their nests are placed; and, indeed, it seems
that they go to them regularly at night to roost. Six or
seven other examples have occurred in the same neighbourhood
at different times. Eight of these birds were killed on the
River Erme, Devonshire, in June, 1849, one of them by R.
A. Julian, Esq., Jun. In Cornwall one, a male, was shot on
the 28th. of March, 1844, and one near Helston, about the
end of April, 1850. In Lancashire, one near Blackpool, on
the 14th. of June, 1853. Specimens have also occurred in
Buckinghamshire, Sussex, Dorsetshire, Bedfordshire, where one
was shot near Ampthill, in 1791; Suffolk, and Kent.

In Wales, in Flintshire and in the Isle of Anglesea.

In Scotland one, a male, at Hirsel, near Coldstream, in
Berwickshire, in the spring of the year 1823; and another in
Dumfriesshire, near Dumfries, on the banks of the Cluden,
a tributary of the River Nith.

In Ireland, two have been procured, as recorded by the
late William Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, namely, one at
Letterkenny, the other, a young bird, in the county of
Armagh.

It is a migratory species, moving southwards during the
months of September and October, and northwards again in
April and May. They appear to move, for the most part,
singly and by night.

These birds live together in societies. They are active, and
feed during the night, resorting, in the day-time, to tall trees
in the neighbourhood of swamps, lakes, and rivers. They
frequent such situations, returning at night-fall to their
feeding-grounds. If alarmed during the day-time, they do
not move off to any great distance, but to the next most
convenient place of concealment. They may be kept in con-
finement, but mope in a dull and heavy manner while day-
light continues. The young are esteemed as an article of
food, and are much sought after in consequence. During the
time that they are engaged with incubation, the old birds
are said to be very noisy, as well as very watchful.

When on the wing their flight is soft and noiseless.

NIGHT HERON. 99

The food of the Night Heron consists of fish, reptiles, any
small animals, leeches, worms, and the larger water insects.
The prey is swallowed whole.

The note is hoarse and hollow, resembling the syllable
'qua,' from whence, in America, the name given to the species
of Qua Bird. Meyer describes the note as sounding like the
word 'cowow.'

These birds form heronries, either, according to Audubon,
near plantations, or the interior of retired and secluded
swamps, as well as on some of the sea islands covered with
evergreen trees. These are formed in low bushes, or in
middle-sized or tall trees, as seems most convenient or secure.
In some places the nests are placed within a few yards of
the ground, many on the branches, others between the
diverging boughs of the trees; in others at the tops of the
trees, at an elevation of not much more than twenty feet;
and in others again in tall cypresses, at a height of a hun-
dred feet, or thereabouts. Hundreds may be seen at once in
those countries where the birds live. These remarks however,
it is to be observed, apply to the American birds. The nest
is fabricated of sticks, and is large in size and flat in shape;
it is lined with reeds, rushes, grass, and leaves.

The eggs are commonly four in number, sometimes five,
and of a pale greenish blue colour. Selby says, 'as soon as
the young have gained sufficient strength, they climb to the
top of the trees, where they are fed by the parents till they
are able to fly, and support themselves.'

The young, in their very different livery, have been
described as a different species.

Male; length, from about twenty-two inches and a quarter,
to twenty-three inches; bill, black, inclining to yellow at the
base, a white line extends from it over the eye; iris, deep
reddish orange; the eyelids, greenish or bluish white. Fore-
head, white; crown, black with green reflections; neck on the
sides, tinged with grey, on the back, and the nape, black
with green reflections: from the head springs an occipital
plume of feathers, generally three, but sometimes four in
number. They are concave beneath, the one fitting within
the other, so as to appear like a single plume; this the bird
has the power of raising or depressing according as it is
alarmed or irritated, or at rest; and thus they 'part to meet
again:' the upper one is the longest, sometimes measuring
about eight inches in length; they are tipped or not with

100 FIGHT HEBOST.

brown or black, according to the age of the bird; chin, throat,
and breast white, with a very faint tinge of cream- colour.
Back, on the upper part, black, with green reflections, on the
lower part fine grey.

The wings expand to the width of three feet three inches
and a half, or a little over that measurement, the first quill
feather is of the same length as the fourth, the third a little
longer, the second the longest in the wing. Greater and
lesser wing coverts, grey; primaries, secondaries, and tertiaries,
grey; greater and lesser under wing coverts, pure white.
Tail and tail coverts, fine bluish grey. The legs are feathered
nearly to the knees; the bare part and the toes, pale yellowish
green. Claws, black, short, and hooked; that of the middle
toe pectinated on its inner side.

The female is like the male.

In the young the tip of the bill is blackish brown, the
remainder dark brown, the edges paler in colour; the base
and lower mandible, yellowish green or yellowish brown; iris,
brown, the eyelids pale greenish brown, head, crown, and
neck on the back, brown, with the centre of each feather
yellowish white; the neck in front has the feathers yellowish
white, deeply margined with brown and yellowish brown; the
nape wants the plume. Chin, throat, and breast, yellowish
white, the feathers deeply margined with yellowish or greyish
brown, forming elongated spots; back, deep brown, with
angular yellowish white streaks on the centre of the feathers.
Greater wing coverts, deep brown, with triangular-shaped spots
of whitish on their tips; lesser wing coverts, deep brown,
with angular whitish streaks on the centres of the feathers;
primaries, also deep brown, with triangular-shaped spots of
white on their tips; secondaries and tertiaries, deep brown,
tipped with pale brown. Tail, greyish brown; upper tail
coverts, a mixture of grey and two shades of brown; legs
and toes, yellowish green, or yellowish brown; claws, dark
brown.

Selby observes, 'As the bird proceeds to maturity, it
acquires at each successive moulting a plumage approaching
nearer to that of the adult; and in these intermediate stages,
has been described as constituting different species, by various
writers.'

John Gatcombe, Esq., of Wyndham Place, Plymouth, has
obliged me with a very beautiful drawing of this species, but
it did not arrive quite in time for the use of this work.

I [TI I

101

BITTERN.

COMMON BITTERX. MIRE DRUM. BITTER BUMP.
BOG BUMPER.

Botaurus stellar is, Selby.

Ardea stetlaris, Pennant. Montagu.

Botaurus. Bos— A Bull, Taurus — A Bull. SttLaris— ?

The Bittern visits some parts of Kussia, Siberia, and
Denmark, and Scandinavia generally; and in a southerly
direction, France, Spain, and Italy, Galicia, Hungary, and
Holland. In Africa, it is known in Barbary, and, it is said,
at the Cape of Good Hope; also in Asia, in Japan, the
Dukkun, and other parts of India, and in China and Tartary.

In Yorkshire the Bittern has been met with a few times
near Sheffield, and near Huddersfield, but very rarely; one
shot at Dalton, several in 1S30; one at Whortiey Park,
several between that place and Pontefract; others near Leeds.
lb used to frequent Askham Bogs, near York, but is now
scarce, though occasionally pretty abundant. In 1S37, about
a dozen passed through the hands of Mr. Henry Chapman,
bird-stuffer, of York; and in 1S31, twenty-five specimens
were brought to Mr. Hugh Reid, of Doncaster. Fifteen
were shot near that town in one year. No doubt before
the drainage of the Cars, the outskirts of the famous level
of Hatfield Chase, the birds were common in that district;
but at present only a single one is occasionally seen. Upwards
of sixty were ascertained, by Mr. Thomas Allis, to have been
killed in the county in that year, in which they were
unusually abundant all over England. In the month of
December, eight were obtained in the neighbourhood of

102 BITTEBff.

Carlisle, in Cumberland; only one having been met with
there in the preceding ten or twelve years. In Somerset-
shire, in the same year, the winter of 1830-31. In Hamp-
shire, in Denny Bog, in the New Forest.

The Rev. Leonard Jenyns, in his l Observations on the
Ornithology of Cambridgeshire,' published in 1826, says that
Bitterns were then met with in Burweli Fen, and occasionally
on • the moors near Cambridge, but appeared to be getting
more scarce every year. Formerly they were plentiful.

They have also not ^infrequently been met with along the
low flat shores of Kent and Essex, in the reed beds and
marshy grounds along the banks of the Thames. One at
Walthamstow, in the latter county, in the month of January,
1850. It was common formerly, says the Rev. R. P.
Alington, speaking of Lincolnshire, but this doubtless implies
that it is not so now: Manton Common, and Twigmoor,
near Brigg, in the same county, are mentioned by Sir
Charles Anderson, Bart., as having formerly been favourite
localities. In Lancashire, a male bird was shot at Thelwall,
near Warrington, on the banks of the Mersey, on the 12th.
of January, 1854. In Cornwall, specimens have occurred at
Penryn Creek, Swanpool, Pennanee, and other places near
Falmouth. One, a female, was shot at Swanscombe, near
G-ravesend, Kent, Mr. W. C, Cooke informs me, and also
one at Horning, Norfolk, December 30th., 1S53.

In Derbyshire, one, in 1837. frequented the margin of the
Trent below Swarkeston Bridge; one was shot formerly on the
same river; and J. J. Briggs, Esq. saw one also at the cliff,
near Weston, in September, 1838. In Norfolk they have been
not unfrequent, and must formerly have been plentiful; their
numbers appear to have been added to in the winter months
by occasional migratory arrivals. In Surrey, it has occurred
near Godalming, and at Kew Bridge, in January, 1854. One
also at Jessop's Eyot, near Chiswick, Middlesex, on the 7th.
of the same month.

In Scotland, some have been obtained, especially in the
southern part, in the winter of 1830-31, when several were
brought to Sir William Jardine, in Dumfriesshire. In Suther-
landshire they are rare; Charles St. John, Esq. has heard it
at Shinness, near Loch Shin.

Wallace, in his 'Account of Orkney/ states that the 'Bit-
tern hath been seen in this country;' but Dr. W. B. Baikie
and Mr. Robert Heddle, in their very complete 'Historia

BITTERN. 103

Naturalis Orcadensis,' say that since then they have met with
no record of its appearance in the islands.

Bitterns occasionally breed in this country, and some on
the other hand remain throughout the winter, but for the
most part it would appear that they are migratory, arriving
in March and April, and departing in September and October.
Thomas Eyton, Esq., of Eyton, in his 'Fauna of Shropshire,'
mentions a hatch of these birds as having come off at Cosford
Pool, in that county. Another pair built at Tonglake, near
Albrighton, also in Salop. An egg was once obtained at
Ranworth, in Norfolk. In Ireland, too, the late William
Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, has said that some breed in the
most extensive bogs, and are occasionally met with elsewhere,
but thai: the birds are becoming gradually more scarce.

During the day they conceal themselves among the flags,
rushes, reeds, and other rank vegetation that prevails in the
damp districts, which afford them security and shelter — those
wild plants that grow by the side of the lazy pool, and those
that adorn the bank of the sequestered stream 'that whimples
doon the glen.' At times they are found in woods. They
are formidable if attacked at close quarters, the sharp bill
giving hard and severe blows. To defend themselves against
a dog, they will throw themselves on their backs, and strike
with their claws as well as with their bill, both weapons of
considerable power. They were formerly in some estimation
as an article of food for the table, especially the young, and
even still command a good price. They were also in esteem
in falconry, as their habit is, when flown at, to rise high in
the air, ascending in spiral circles, endeavouring to keep
above their enemy. Selby adds, 'Should this manoeuvre fail,
it then prepares for the descent of the Hawk, by setting its
sharp bill perpendicularly upwards, upon which its impetuous
antagonist frequently transfixes itself, or is so severely wounded,
as to be obliged to give up a second attack.'

They are of solitary habits, and while lying close in their
quarters, the head resting upon the shoulders, bent back
somewhat in the shape of the letter S, will frequently allow
themselves to be almost trodden upon before they take wing
or endeavour to escape. Their usual position is 'couchant,'
with the body erect, and the head, neck, and bill pointed
upwards.

Bewick says that the Bittern, when attacked by the Buzzard,
or other birds of prey, defends itself with great courage, and

104 BITTEEN.

generally beats off such assailants. They are sometimes met
with at a distance from water; thus Meyer mentions one
shot on Burwood Common, near Walton, Surrey. They rarely
perch in trees, hut do so sometimes on their first arrival as
a means of shelter. More than one pair are seldom found
in one swamp, unless it is of very large extent. They cannot
be rendered tame, though they may be kept a few years in
confinement. If approached in their native fastnesses, they
lie immoveably still as long as it seems possible to succeed
in escaping observation or molestation, and if a person walks
round one, it turns itself as if on a pivot, without otherwise
moving, facing the intruder continually.

Meyer observes, 'The manner in which the Bittern moves
its long neck is very remarkable: owing to the profusion of
loose feathers all down the neck, it is not visible how the
long neck is folded up in drawing it close to the body, and
extending it again immediately. When the neck is drawn
close to the body, and the head and beak lie in an horizontal
line on its back, the whole bird looks a clumsy thick lump
of feathers; and it may well startle any one who. has never
met with a Bittern in a wild state, to see it lengthen itself
on a sudden, when in the act of flying up. The attitude
in which the Bittern shews itself to most advantage is when
it is in a passion, or under great excitement from fear; under
such circumstances it faces the danger with half-open wings,
and holds the tip of the beak in readiness for the onset,
while the loose plumage of the neck is raised, and the head
feathers erected so as to form a perfect circular crest. The
eyes of its opponent, whether man or beast, are then the
usual aim.'

'It is very remarkable how the Bittern disentangles itself
from among the strong thick rushes, so as to gain room to
open its wings. The way in which this is managed is by
grasping the rushes with its long toes, and thus climbing to
the more pliable foliage of the plantation.'

They do not fly far at a time, if disturbed, and then at
a dull and flagging pace. They walk slowly, and with much
apparent caution.

They seek their prey, which consists of small animals,
moles, shrews, mice, and others, birds, fishes, leeches, lizards,
snakes, frogs, beetles, and other insects, by night. Sir William
Jardine has known a Water-Bail devoured whole by one,
and Mr. Yarrell found in another the remains of a Pike, of

BITTERN. 105

considerable size, and in another, a Water-Kail whole and
six small fishes, and Mr. Blyth in another the remains of
other fish and some large coleopterous insects.

The Bittern's boom, for so is its note called, is supposed
to resemble the bellowing of a bull, from whence the duplicate
name it bears. It somewhat resembles the word assigned to
it. It is uttered in the spring, the season of courtship, and
is no doubt as sweet to the ear of the mate, as the most
rich thrilling quaver to the enamoured nightingale, or the
softest cooing to the gentle dove. Mr. Yarrell says, that
when roused at other times, the bird makes a sharp harsh
cry on rising, not unlike that of a Wild Goose, and in
flight, but only during the night, a 'craw, craw.' The sound
produced by the Bittern, is so peculiar and strange, that it
has given rise to various superstitions, which have borrowed
adventitious charms of alarm from the lonely places in which
the note is for the most part heard. 'The common people
are of opinion that it thrusts its bill into a reed that serves
as a pipe for swelling the note above its natural pitch,
while others imagine that the Bittern puts its head under
water, and then by blowing violently produces its boomings. It
begins its call in the evening, booming six or eight times,
and then discontinuing for ten or twenty minutes, it renews
the same sound.' The Bittern commonly booms while soaring
high in the air with a spiral flight.

The nest is made of sticks, reeds, and other rough mate-
rials, and is generally placed on the ground, in the thickest
part of the vegetation, not far from the water's edge. Dr.
Thieneman says that the bird is careful to put it upon a
mass of fallen reeds and prostrate rushes, so as to be beyond
the effects of any temporary rising of the water.

The eggs, which are of a similar shape at either end, are
from three to four or five in number, and of a uniform
pale brown colour. The female sits on them, and the male
brings her food while thus engaged. The young are soon
able to shift for themselves.

Male; the bill, sharp on the edges and pointed, is greenish
yellow, the upper mandible varied with dark horn-colour
towards the point; from the base on each side proceed large
longitudinal streaks of dark brown and reddish brown; iris,
yellow; under it descends a streak of rich deep brown.
Head on the crown, which is somewhat depressed, black,
tinged with metallic green and purple; the feathers at the

106 BITTEBff.

back of the head varied with cross bars of black and pale
buff, the latter colour on the tip, itself again minutely edged
with black; sides of the head, brownish buff. Neck on the
sides, brownish buff, with narrow transverse lines of dark
brown; the feathers are lengthened and fold over the back
part, which is only covered with thick down; they are also
capable of being set forward, and then assume the appear-
ance of a ruff; neck on the back, and the nape, rich
brownish buff, irregularly marked with black and dark reddish
brown. Chin, pale buff white; throat on the centre, pale
brown; the breast has the feathers blackish brown in their
centres, broadly margined with buff, the lower part buff
with narrow and some wider streaks of dark brown. Back,
yellowish brown buff on the centres of the feathers, forming
streaks, the outside edges black.

The wings have the four first feathers of about the same
length, and, at the same time, the longest in the wing;
primaries, mottled with greyish or brownish black and chesnut
brown, darker red than on the body. Tail, reddish brown,
darker red than on the body, variegated with black; it is
composed of ten feathers and is very short. The legs, which
are thick, short, and feathered down to within half an inch
or three quarters of an inch of the knee, are as the toes —
pale green; the latter are very pliable. The claws, which
are very long and sharp, pale horn-colour, the middle one
pectinated.

The female differs in no essential respect from the male.

The same remark applies to the young of the year. At
first they are covered with an orange yellow down.

LITTLE BL

107

LITTLE BITTERN.

BOOJNTK. ECFOUS BITTERN. LITTLE HEEOZ*.
LITTLE BITTEEK HEEON. LONG-NECK.

Ardea minute, Linnaeus. Leach,

" danubialis, Gmelin.

u soloniensis, Gmelin.

Ardeola minuta, Prince Buonaparte.

Cancrophagus minutus, Haup.

Butor minutus, SwAixfON,

Botaurus pusillus Brehm.

" minutus, Boie. Eyton.

Ardea— A Heron, Minuia— Small— minute.

This bird belongs to the southern parts of the European
continent — Turkey, Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Holland.
In Sweden it has been met with, though but very rarely:
in Switzerland it is annually observed, and some few, according
to M. Necker, stay to breed. In Asia it is plentifully dis-
tributed about the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea; in Persia,
Syria, and Arabia. In Africa it is also met with — in Barbary,
and so far south as the Cape of Good Hope; likewise in
Madeira.

In this county, Yorkshire, one was procured near Eedcar,
which is on the sea-coast, on the 20th. of September, 1S52;
one at Birdsall, near Malton, the seat of Henry Willoughby,
Esq., about the year 1842; one at Thorpe, near Burlington,
the seat of A. W. Bosville, Esq.; and one near Doncaster.
In Dorsetshire, one in 1851, at Preston, near Weymouth,
and one at Lytchet Maltravers. A young bird was bought
in the Leadenhall Market, London, and is now in the col-
lection of British Birds in the British Museum. One was
shot in April, 1852, in the parish of Oving, in the county
of Sussex, as Mr. George Jackson informs me. Another was
run down and captured by some men, in the neighbourhood
of Plymouth, a few years since, in the spring; one in

108 LITTLE BITTEBN.

Cornwall. One, a female, was shot near Guildford, in Surrey.
In Norfolk, one, a male, at South Waltham, on the 11th.
of June, 1849, where, according to Mr. Yarrell, on the
authority of Mr. Heysham, of Carlisle, a pair had been shot
about the beginning of July, 1839; one at Lowestoft, a
female, in June, 1830; one at Barnaby, and one at Ludham.
Also in Berkshire, one, in the summer of 1826, on the
banks of the Thames, near Windsor; one at Uxbridge Moor,
in Middlesex; one in Herefordshire, at Shobden Court, the
seat of Lord Bateman, in the spring of 1838; one also in
South Wales. At Somerton, one, also a male, a young bird,
on the 17th. of May, 1852; in Shropshire, one, at Shrewsbury,
on the banks of the Severn. In Northumberland, one, at
Blagdon, the seat of Sir M. W. Ridley, Bart.; and one near
the mouth of the Tyne. In Devonshire, one, in the summer
of 1808; in Somersetshire, one, near Bath, in the autumn
of 1789, and another near the Eiver Creed.

In Orkney, one was killed in the Isle of Sunda, in the
winter of 1805-6.

In Ireland, one has been recorded by the late William
Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, as having been shot in the
county of Armagh.

It is of migratory habits, moving northwards the latter
part of April, and returning southwards in September.

It is adapted in its modes of life to the wooded swamps
that border on rivers, lakes, ponds, and inland seas, among
which, where reeds or other aquatic vegetation nourishes, it
has its habitation. It frequently perches on trees, especially
in the spring of the year. Selby says that its usual
position on the ground, when at rest, is that of sitting on
the whole length of the leg, with the neck bent, the head
thrown back, and the bill pointing almost perpendicularly
upwards. Meyer observes, 'It is a matter of surprise how
the Little Bittern puts in practice one of its habits, namely,
that of climbing or running up and down a perpendicular
branch of a tree, with as much ease as if it walked on the
ground. The necessity of placing its feet in a line, makes
the circumstance unavoidable of crossing its legs at every
step, while the formation of its feet is apparently adapted
only for the purpose of wading. The length and pliability
of the toes, and the arched and sharply pointed claws,
materially aid this bird in retaining its hold.

The Little Bittern is very artful in keeping itself out of

'

LITTLE BITTERN. 109

sight, and also in deceiving the greater number of its
enemies, when in an unsheltered spot, by placing itself in a
stiff, unnatural position when it perceives the approach of
danger, in which it remains so immoveable and for so long
a time, that when it is at last obliged to take wing, it
flies up with such unexpected noise that the sportsman is
generally too much taken by surprise to avail himself of the
opportunity of firing, until the bird has attained too great
a distance to be shot; and when concealed among reeds,
rushes, or other herbage, it is with the greatest difficulty
that it is made to start; and to effect this purpose fre-
quently requires much caution and perseverance. The best
time to get a sight of the Little Bittern is towards the
evening, owing to its habit of coming forth of its own
accord at that time; but to reach, unperceived, a hiding-place
for the purpose of lying in wait, the greatest caution is
required when approaching the spot supposed to be frequented
by this species.

The flight of the Little Bittern is different from that of
others of its family, being performed with stronger and
quicker motions of the wings. It does not fly high in the
air during the day, but only high enough, in general, to
clear the vegetation amongr which it resides. When in the
act of taking flight, this Bittern flutters quickly with its
wings; but when alighting it throws itself, as it were, to
the earth; only breaking its fall when close to the ground,
by expanding the wings.'

This species, as just shewn, is a good climber, and ascends
upright objects with great ease. It walks about, Audubon
says, with the head drawn closely in, and without shewing
any portion of the neck.

The bird is capable of being tamed, especially if taken
young, but only with much trouble. It is described as being
very amusing, assuming various grotesque attitudes. It is
bold, fierce, and courageous, and quick in its movements. If
attacked it defends itself ably with its pointed beak, aiming
at the eyes of its assailant, or other undefended parts— 'mule
nisi intus datum?' It is capable of being kept in confinement.

The Little Bittern feeds by night, and remains still during
the day in the cover afforded by the water plants that grow
in the situations which it frequents. Its food consists of fish,
frogs, and other reptiles, to which some have added molluscous
animals and insects; indeed, Audubon says, that tame ones are

110 LITTLE BITTERN.

very expert in catching flies. The young birds are fed with
food from the crops of their parents, which the latter are said
to place on the edge of the nest. 'If the young brood continue
undisturbed they remain long in the nest, but if they are
molested they hurry out and cling to the rushes, being
fully capable of climbing up and down in the same manner
as the parent birds. As soon as the young can help themselves
the parents leave the breeding-place, and are no more seen
in the neighbourhood for the remainder of the season.
While the female sits on her eggs she can hardly be driven
away, and remains not only close to the spot, but runs up
and down the rushes in the greatest excitement, continually
uttering her alarm note, while the male bird watches the
scene from his hiding-place.'

The note is a harsh croak; that which expresses alarm
being likened, by Meyer, to the word 'gaek,' repeated two
or three times. Viellot compares it to the barking of a
large dog, when heard at a distance.

The nest is generally to be found where flags grow, sometimes
near, but at other times farther off from water. It is placed
on hummocks in the marshes, or on strewed reeds or flags,
a little above the usual rise of the water, and in some
instances on the low boughs of an overhanging tree: a few
have been found in bushes about a yard from the ground.
It is made of such materials as the dry twigs of the willow,
grass, reeds, rushes, and flags; and is a shapeless structure.
^ The eggs, four and occasionally five, in number, or even
six, according to Mr. Hewitson, are of a pale whitish green
colour. Their incubation occupies sixteen or seventeen days.

Male; length, one foot one or two inches; bill, rich yellow,
the point dusky; iris, bright yellow, over it is a yellow
streak. Head on the crown, black, reflected with green or
blue; neck on the back and sides, dull yellowish buff, tinged
with lilac purple; on the lower part of the neck in the front
the feathers are elongated on the sides, and at that part
a few of the feathers have dark centres with buff-coloured
margins. Nape, almost bare of feathers, but those of the
sides of the neck passing obliquely backwards and downwards
cover the otherwise bare space; chin, white; throat, pale dull
yellow. The breast has the loose feathers dull yellow, tinged
with violet, some of them margined with dusky and rich
brownish yellow; below, the breast is yellow; back, black,
with green reflections.

LITTLE BITTERN. Ill

The wings have the first three quill feathers very nearly-
equal in length, and the longest; the axillary plume is white;
greater and lesser wing coverts, dull yellowish buff; primaries,
dusky, or greyish black; greater and lesser under wing coverts,
white, or pale buff. Upper tail coverts, black, with green
reflections; under tail coverts, whitish; the legs are clothed
with feathers to, or nearly to, the knee joint; the unfeathered
part and the toes, light yellowish green; the soles yellow;
claws, dusky; the middle one is serrated on the inner side.

Female. John Henry Gurney, Esq., and William Eichard
Fisher, Esq., of Yarmouth, in their 'Account of the Birds
found in Norfolk/ observe, 'From an inspection of the specimens
obtained from time to time in this district, we incline to the
opinion, that if the females of this species ultimately arrive
at a plumage similar to that of the adult males, as is asserted
by modern naturalists, it is only at a much more advanced
period than that at which the same plumage is assumed by
the latter; and it appears quite certain that the female, in
the supposed immature plumage, pairs with the adult male.'

The young in its first plumage, while yet some of the
down remains upon it, has the head on the crown dark brown;
the feathers of the neck white at the base, pale yellowish
brown towards the end, with a streak of dark brown in the
line of the shaft, which dark marks wear out by degrees.
Breast, pale buff, with long streaks of dusky brown in the
line of the feathers, which also gradually become obliterated;
back, dark brown, with buff-coloured edges to the feathers,
which are lost as the bird advances in age. Greater and
lesser wing coverts, buff; primaries, greyish black; tertiaries,
reddish brown; greater and lesser under wing coverts, pale
buff white. Tail, greyish black, the outer web of the first
quill feather chesnut: under tail coverts, pale buff white.
Legs, toes, and claws, reddish brown. In the young bird, in
the more advanced stage, the bill is yellowish brown. The
crown is blackish green; neck on the sides reddish brown; in
front, yellowish brown. The throat has a spot of white on
each side; breast above, deep red brown, with a glossy lustre,
the feathers margined with yellowish white; below, yellowish
white, streaked with brown; back, chesnut brown; the
feathers margined with yellowish white. Tail, blackish green;
legs, pale olive brown.

The plate is taken from a beautiful drawing by John
Gateombe, Esq., of Plymouth.

112

AMERICAN BITTERN.

FRECKLED HERON. MOKOHO BITTERN". DtTNEADOO.

Ardea minor, "Wilson.

" lentiginosa, Montagu. Leach.

" mokoho, Viellot.

" stellaris, var., Latham.

Botaurus freti hudsonis, Bbisson.

Butor americana, Swainson.

Ardea— A Heron. Minor— Lesser.

The native country of this species of Bittern is indicated
by its name. It is a native of the whole of North America,
and occurs in plenty in the Fur Countries, regions which
for true sporting are to he preferred to any others in the
world, even to the jungles of sultry India, or the vast and
rarely-trodden wilds of the distant interior of Southern Africa.

Of these birds Mr. Yarrell speaks of one as having been
met with in the Isle of Man; one in Cornwall; one in
Hampshire, near Christchurch, in 1836; one in Devonshire, shot
at Mothecombe, near Plymouth, December 22nd., 1829; and
one, the specimen recorded by Montagu, shot by a Mr.
Cunningham, in the parish of Piddletown, or Puddletown,
near the River Froome, in the county of Dorset, in the
autumn of 1804.

These birds are sold in the markets of New Orleans as
an article of food, though of inferior estimation, to make
gombo soup, a composition of the 'cuisinier' with which I
am not acquainted. When fat, however, they are said by
Wilson to be excellent eating.

The flight is said to be rather rapid.

It feeds on fish and frogs.

AMERICAN BITTERN. 113

Its note, a loud booming, is considered to be represented
by two of the names applied to it as vernacular ones — Mokoho
and Dunkadoo. Dr. Eiehardson says that it may be heard
every summer's evening, and also frequentlj7 in the day. When
disturbed, it utters a hollow, croaking cry, compared by Mr.
Cunningham to the tapping of a drum.

The nest is made in swamps.

The eggs are described by Hutcliins as of a uniform dull
olivaceous tint.

Male; length, about two feet three inches; bill, brownish
yellow, the upper mandible dark brown along the upper ridge
at the point; iris, yellow, over it and from the forehead, before
and behind it, is a streak of light yellow brown. Head C3
the crown, brown, tinged with red; back of the head and
neck on the back, brown; nape, bare of feathers; down the
side of the neck is a descending streak of black. The loose
elongated feathers of the front and sides of the neck down
to the breast are brown along the centre, bounded by a
darker line, and with broad edges of pale buff. Chin, white;
throat, a mixture of white, buff, and dark brown in streaks.
Breast, buff, each feather with an elongated patch of brown
on its centre, forming zigzag pencillings, but more distant
and finer than those on the upper parts. Back, rich brown,
the centre of each feather the darkest and most uniform in
colour, the edges freckled with darker brown on a ground of
yellowish brown.

The wings have the first three quill feathers nearly equal
in length, and the longest in' the wing. 'The first quill feather
differs in form from the second and third, being remarkably
pointed at the end, while the second and third are rounded.'
Greater and lesser wing coverts, rich brown, the centre of
each feather the darkest, and most uniform in colour; the
edges freckled .with the darker brown on a ground of yellow
brown. Primaries, except the three first, brownish black, tipped
with chesnut, which is also freckled with brownish black, the
shafts black; secondaries, also brownish black, tipped with
chesnut, which is likewise freckled with brownish black, the
shafts black; tertiaries, freckled with dark brown, reddish brown,
and buff. Tail, almost uniform reddish brown; upper tail
coverts, buff, freckled with two shales of brown; under tail
coverts, uniform bull'. Legs and toes, greenish brown; claws,
darker, approaching to horn-colour; th I middle toe pectinated.

The young are said to be at first black,
voi,. v. I

114

WHITE STORK.

**-*«ia alba, Fleming. Selbt.

irdea cwojria, MONTAGU. Bewicil.

Ciconia— A Stork. Alba— White.

Tans winter quarters of the Stork are Egypt and other
northern parts of Africa; and its summer haunts, the southern
so'in tries of Europe — France, Holland, Germany, Turkey,
Spain, Poland, and southern Russia, some advancing as far
north as Sweden, and other districts of Scandinavia and Siberia.
Its eastern range extends through Asia to Japan.

Sir Thomas Browne has recorded that he used to notice
these birds occasionally in the fens, and that some had been
shot in Norfolk, in the neighbourhood of Norwich and
Yarmouth. Wallis, in his history of Northumberland, mentions
one shot near Chollerford Bridge, in the year 1766. One
was shot a few miles from Buckingham, in the month of
September, in the year 1846, of which James Dalton, Esq.,
of Worcester College, Oxford, obligingly informed me; and
N. Eowe, Esq., also of the same College, of another shot at
Topsham, Devonshire, on the estuary of the Exe, on the
28th. of July, 1852.

The following specimens are also on record as having
occurred: — In Wiltshire, one, near Salisbury: in Kent, one
near Sandwich, and one in Romney Marsh. * In Suffolk, one,
near Mildenhall, in 1830. The late Frederick Holme, Esq.,
of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, asserted that four or five
haunted some pools on Kexby Common, in the East Riding
of Yorkshire, for some time, in the spring of 1830, and
that one of them was shot. About the year 1825, one was
killed at Bawtry, in that county; and about the year 1829,

WHITE STOEK. 115

a flock was seen on the Trent, two, supposed to belong to
which, were shot, also near Bawtry. In March, 1831, one
was shot at Bretton Hall, near Barnsley, the seat of Thomas
Wentworth Beaumont, Esq. Other instances, I believe, have
occurred. One was shot on the sea- shore near Skipsea. A
bird also, that appeared to be of this species, was seen below
Wansford, in the parish of Nafferton, near Driffield, in the
spring of 1816, by E. H. Reynard, Esq., and — Fife, Esq,
In Hampshire, one was obtained at Little Park, near Wickham.
In Devonshire, three.

In Norfolk, a pair were shot in the Burgh Marshes, in
the summer of 1817; another before that time, and one seen
in the autumn of 1810, and one shot at Halvergate, May
11th., 1842. One, on Breydon, near Yarmouth, about the
15th. of March, 1851; and another was said to have been
killed near Yarmouth, about the beginning of January, in
the same year. One or two are killed in most years, generally
in the spring months, and in the vicinity of the coast.

In Scotland it has occurred more than once. One was
shot in the parish of Lonmay, near the Loch of Strathbeg,
not far from the sea-shore, between Peterhead and Frazerburgh,
in Aberdeenshire, in the winter of 1837-38.

In Orkney, a White Stork was caught in South Ronaldshay,
in 18-iO, and kept alive for some time; being prevented from
escaping by its wings being clipped, it used to keep company
with a flock of tame geese.

In Ireland, it is also said to have been met with formerly;
and three were seen near Fermoy, in the county of Cork,
and one of them procured about the last week in May, 1S16.

Who ha* not read of the Stork at the conflagration of
Delft, which, after attempting in vain to convey away her
young to a place of safety, remained with them and perished —
a never-dying example of maternal devotedness. But the bird,
indeed, must always have been noticed for the like feeling,
from thence its name, one and the same witli the expressive
word 'Storge,' natural affection — the innate impulse which the
Almighty Author of Good has implanted in every living
creature, whether developed more or less ostensibly to man,
and in many cases in a degree which even man himself does
not and cannot exceed.

The Stork is in much esteem in the countries where it is
plentiful as a destroyer of reptiles and vermin, and as a
'Sanitary Commissioner' is oi ^reat use and efficiency, bv the

116 WHITE STORK.

removal of all sorts of otherwise obnoxious and deleterious
substances.

This bird, conscious, as it were, of its usefulness, and relying
on its immunity from harm, walks about with fearless con-
fidence along the busy streets of the most populous towns,
and forages for itself in the thronged market-places. Meyer
says, 'A very curious anecdote was recorded some years ago
in a German newspaper, which strongly illustrates the wonderful
parental affection of this species for their young. A house, on
the top of which was a Stork's nest, containing young birds,
took fire. In the midst of the conflagration, the old birds
were seen flying to and from the nest, and plunging into a
neighbouring piece of water, in which they soaked their
feathers, and returning again and again to the nest, sprinkled
the water over their young in such abundance, that they
not only preserved their young ones, but saved from destruction
that part of the building on which the nest was situated.'

'There is a great deal of tender attachment manifested by
the Stork towards its mate and young brood, which extends
itself to its protectors and keepers when in a state of
confinement or domestication. But if a bird of this species
is ill-treated or insulted, it will revenge itself on the first
opportunity; and if hurt, it will fight manfully, and stand
to its cause with its life. The blows of the powerful beak
of the Stork are not to be trifled with, and are generally
well directed and dangerous; the eyes of its antagonist being
aimed at with great precision.'

Selby writes, 'Previous to the autumnal migration, which,
in Europe, happens the last week in August or the beginning
of September, these birds congregate in immense flocks, and,
as if to try the strength of pinion of the recently-produced
brood, make several short excursions, and are much in motion
among themselves. After these trials of capability, they
suddenly take flight, rise high into the air, and wing their
way with great swiftness to the distant climes in which they
pass our hyemal months; and where, it is said, they
sometimes produce a second brood.'

Storks, as may be supposed, are easily to be kept in
confinement. In Holland they are treated with even super-
stitious attention, and are never molested or injured.

Their chosen localities are low and watery pasture lands,
intersected by dykes and drains, or bordered by rivers, canals,
and lakes.

WHITE STORK. 117

'Cranes are not,' writes Bishop Stanley, 'like the Heron,
stationary; but even in the countries to which they are most
attached, are regular birds of passage; but so punctual in
their coming and goings, that from the most remote times
they have been considered as gifted with reasoning powers.
The prophet Jeremiah, speaking of their knowledge, contrasts
their instinctive obedience to their Creator's laws with the
culpable departure therefrom by those on whom Grod had
bestowed the higher gifts of reason and understanding. 'Yea,
the Stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and
the Turtle, and the Crane, and the Swallow, observe the
time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment
of the Lord.' — Jeremiah, viii. 7.

So punctual is the arrival and departure of the various
migratory birds, that to this day the Persians, as well as
ancient Arabs, often form their almanacks on their movements.
Thus, the beginning of the singing of the Nightingales was
the commencement of a festival welcoming the return of
warm weather, while the coming of the Storks was the
period of another announcing their joy at the departure of
winter. The expression, 'the Stork in the heaven,' is more
applicable than at first appears, for even when out of sight,
its pathway may be traced by the loud and piercing cries.

'In the middle of April,' says a traveller in the Holy Land,
'while our ship was riding at anchor under Mount Carmel,
we saw three flights of these birds, each of which took up
more than three hours in passing us, extending itself, at the
same time, more than half a mile in breadth.' They were
then leaving Egypt, and steering towards the north-east of
Palestine, where it seems, from the account of another eye-
witness, they abound in the month of May. 'Returning from
Cana to Nazareth,' he observes, 'I saw the fields so filled
with flocks of Storks, that they appeared quite white with
them; and when they rose and hovered in the air, they
seemed like clouds. The respect paid in former times to these
birds is still shewn; for the Turks, notwithstanding their
recklessness in shedding human blood, have a more than
ordinary regard for Storks, looking upon them with an almost
reverential affection. '

In the neighbourhood of Smyrna, indeed throughout the
whole of the Ottoman dominions, wherever the bird abides
during his summer visits, it is welcomed. The^y call him their
friend and their brother, the friend and brother exclusively of

113 WHITE STORK.

the Moslem race, entertaining a belief that wherever the
influence of their religion prevailed, he would still bear them
company; and it might seem that these sagacious birds are
well aware of the predilection; for singularly enough, a
recent traveller, who met with them in incredible numbers in
Asia Minor, observed that although they built on the mosques,
minarets, and Turkish houses, their nests were never erected
on a Christian roof. In the Turkish quarters they were me';
in all directions, strutting about most familiarly, mixing with
the people in the streets, but rarely entering the parts of
the town inhabited by Greeks or Armenians, by whom,
possibly, they may be occasionally disturbed. Nothing can
be more interesting than the view of an assemblage of their
nests. Divided, as they always are, into pairs, sometimes
only the long elastic neck of one of them is to be seen
peering from its cradle of nestlings, the mate standing by
on one of his long slim legs, and watching with every sign
of the closest affection.

At another Mohammedan town, Fez, on the coast of Barbary,
there is a rich hospital, expressly built and supported by
large funds, for the sole purpose of assisting and nursing sick
Cranes and Storks, and of burying them when dead. This
respect arises from a strange belief, handed down from time
immemorial, that the Storks are human beings in that form,
men from some distant islands, who, at certain seasons of
the year, assume the shape of these birds, that they may
visit Barbary, and return at a fixed time to their own country,
where they resume the human form. It has been conjectured
that this tradition came originally from Egypt, where the
Storks are held in equal respect, as we shall see when we
speak of their sacred bird, Ibis. By the Jews the former
was also respected, though for a different reason they called
it Chaseda, which in Hebrew signifies piety, or mercy, from
the tenderness shewn by the young to the old birds, who,
when the latter were feeble or sick, would bring them food.
This affection, however, appears to be mutual, for the
parent birds have a more than ordinary degree of affection
for their young, and have been known to perish rather than
desert them.

Besides the Jews other ancient nations held these birds in
veneration. A law among the Greeks, obliging children
to support their parents, even received its name from a
reference to these birds. B,v the Romans it was called the

WHITE STOEK. 119

pious bird, and was also an emblem on the medals of such
Roman princes as merited the title of Pius.

Some hen's eggs were placed in a Stork's nest, and the
others removed. The female Stork, not aware of the change,
sat patiently the appointed number of day-, till the shells
were broken, and the young chickens made their appearance.
No sooner were they seen by the old birds, than they testified
their surprise by harsh notes and fierce looks, and after a
short pause, they jointly fell upon the unfortunate chickens,
and pecked them to pieces, as if conscious of the disgrace
which might be supposed to attach to a dishonoured nest.

A French surgeon at Smyrna, wishing to procure a Stork,
and rinding great difficulty, on account of the extreme
veneration in which they are held by the Turks, stole all
the eggs out of a nest, and replaced them with those of a
hen. In process of time the young chickens came forth,
much to the astonishment of the Storks. In a short time
the male went off, and was not seen for two or three days,
when he returned with an immense crowd of his companions,
who all assembled in the place, and formed a circle, taking
no notice of the numerous spectators, which so unusual an
occurrence had collected. The female was brought forward
into the midst of the circle, and after some consultation, the
whole flock fell upon her, and tore her to pieces; after which
they immediately dispersed, and the nest was entirely abandoned.

The following, in many respects similar case, occurred on
the estate of a gentleman of large landed property near Berlin,
and is a valuable corroboration of what might, to many,
appear unworthy of credit. A pair of Storks built a nest
on one of the chimneys of his mansion; having a curiosity
to inspect it, the owner climbed up, and found in it one
egg, which, being about the size of a Goose's egg, was replaced
by one belonging to that bird. The Storks seemed not to
notice the exchange, but no sooner was the egg hatched,
than the male bird perceiving the difference, rose from the
nest, and Hying round it several times with loud screams,
disappeared, and was not seen again for three days, during
which time the female continued to tend her offspring as
usual. Early on the fourth morning, however, the inmates
of the house were disturbed by loud and discordant cries
in the field fronting the house, where they perc ived about
live hundred Storks assembled in a dense body, and one
standing about twenty yards before the rest, apparently

120 WHITE STORK.

haranguing its companions, who stood listening, to all ap-
pearance, with great emotion. When this bird had concluded,
it retired and another took its place, and seemed to address
them in a similar manner. This proceeding and noise was
repeated by several successive birds, until about eleven o'clock
in the forenoon, when the whole flock simultaneously arose
in the air, uttering dismal cries.

The female all this time was observed to remain on her
nest, watching their motions with apparent trepidation. In
a short time the body of Storks made towards her. headed
by one bird, supposed to be the male, who struck her
vehemently three or four times, and knocked her out of the
nest; the whole mass then followed the attack, until they
had not only destroyed the female Stork, (who made no
attempt to escape or defend herself,) but the young G-osling,
and utterly removed every vestige of the nest itself. Since
that time, about five years ago, no Stork has been known to
build, or ever been seer, in that neighbourhood.

The person who stated this singular anecdote was a gentleman
of undoubted veracity, who had been visiting at the house
and seen the preserved remains of the Stork and dead Grosling.
It may be added, that in the part of Germany where this
occurrence took place, there is a superstition prevalent that
a Stork never builds on a bad man's house, and to such
an extent is this notion carried, that if a man were sus-
pected, even of murder, the people could scarcely be induced
to bring him before the magistrates, if a Stork was known
to build on his house. This is mentioned as one amongst
other reasons why the gentleman permitted such, in some
respects, troublesome birds to build on his chimney-top
unmolested.'

The^ Stork, in the attitude of repose, always stands on one
leg, with the neck bent, and the bill resting on the breast.

They feed on almost anything — small animals, young birds,
water insects, reptiles, fishes, and worms. If they can, they
wash the food they take from the ground, in water, before
swallowing it They may be seen" stalking about in the
fields, or standing on one leg by the river side, watching for
some prey to come within reach.

They frequently make a loud clattering noise, by snapping
the upper bill and the lower together with 'force and
quickness.^ This sound is produced both in flight and when
the bird is sitting on the nest. It is common to both the

WHITE STOEK. 121

male and the female, and is also taken up by the young as
soon as fledged. A hissing noise is also emitted, especially
by the young birds when in fear.

The periodical return of the Stork to the place of its nest,
the home of its own youth, and in like manner of its ancestors
for generation after generation, is well known. 'In various
parts of Holland, the nest of this bird, built on the chimney
top, remains undisturbed for many succeeding years, and
the owners constantly return with unerring sagacity to the
well-known spot. The joy which they manifest on again
taking possession of their deserted dwelling, and the attach-
ment which they testify towards their benevolent hosts, are
familiar in the mouth of everyone.' 'In Holland particularly,
in some parts of Germany, and indeed in all countries where
it breeds, it is protected; boxes are provided for them on
the tops of the houses; and in several continental cities, he
considers himself a fortunate man, whose roof the Stork
selects for its periodical resting-place.' Platforms and other
artificial flat erections are also placed for them to build on.

A heap of sticks and twigs, with any other coarse materials,
forms the nest. It is placed on the house top, the summit
of some tall chimney, the steeple of a church, or an old
tower, or turret; as well as on the highest parts of the
loftiest trees, in the immediate vicinity of the most crowded
thoroughfares.

The eggs are usually three or four in number; white, tinged
with buff, and of a short oval form. The young are hatched
after a month's incubation, and are attended to with sedulous
attention by both parents, until fully fledged and able to
provide for themselves. The old birds feed them from their
own bills, with food they have previously swallowed.

Male; length, three feet six or eight inches; bill, red; iris,
brown; the bare part round it black. Head, crown, neck,
nape, chin, throat, breast, and back, pure unsullied white.
Greater wing coverts, glossy black, shaded with grey towards
the shafts; primaries, secondaries, and tertiaries, black. Legs
and toes, red; claws, brown.

There is no difference in the plumage of the male and the
female. Bill, in the latter, dark brownish red; legs and
dark brownish red.

In the young the black parts of the plumage aiv tinged
wif-h brown.

BLACK STORK. 113

The Black Stork is a migratory bird, wending its way
northwards in March, and southwards back again in September
or October.

It gives a preference to secluded places, dwelling in remote,
extensive, and impenetrable morasses and forests, interspersed
with pools or streams, not only in low but in high situations,
and by the banks of rivers, and it does not otherwise appear
to be of a particularly wild or shy nature, and is described
as being moreover of a mild and peaceful disposition, soon
becoming docile in confinement and free from resentment. It
frequently rests on one leg. 'It is an old tradition with
regard to Storks, that they take care of and nourish their
parents when they are too old to take care of themselves,
from whence the Greek word 'pelargieos,' signifying the duty
of children to take care of their parents; and 'pelargicoi
nomoi,' signifying the laws relating to that duty, both derived
from the Greek word for a Stork. 'Pelargos,' from 'pelas' —
black, and 'argos' — white, alluding to the prevailing colour's
of the Stork/

The adult bird is not sociable even with those of its own
kind, and more than a single pair do not choose the same
building place. If more than two are seen together at the
time of migration, they will generally be found to be young
birds of the year.

They roost on some raised spot, and in this quiescent state
the neck is recurved so that the hinder part of the head
rests on the back, and the bill is drawn in closely among
the feathers of the front of the neck.

Fish and shell-fish appear to be its favourite food, but it '
eats frogs, snakes, and other reptiles, young birds, moles,
worms, grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects, in fact almost
anything. In searching for the first-named the bill is kept
partly open. Mr. Yarrell says, recording the observations
made on the one obtained by Montagu, which was kept
moro than a year, 'When very hungry it crouches, resting
the whole length of the legs upon the ground, and suppli-
cantly seems to solicit food by nodding the head. Sapping
its unwieldy pinions, and forcibly blowing the air from the
lungs with audible expirations. Whenever it is approached,
the expulsion of air, accompanied by repeated nodding of the
head, is provoked.' They wade deep into the water in search
of prey, which, when captured, they kill by shaking and
beating with the bill before swallowing. They roost on a,

124 BLAr?tr «?TOBK.

tree at night, and a solitary bird will perch on one in the
day-time when not engaged in search of food. They walk
about in a sedate, slow, and cautious manner. 'When about
to take wing, the Black Stork takes one or two short leaps;
And when alighting it skims a short distance before touching
the ground, and places its wing feathers in order before it
moves on further.'

It makes a clattering sound by snapping the mandibles
together.

It builds its nest, which is rather large, on the summit
of the loftiest pine and other trees. The foundation of sticks
is solidified by the addition of sods, the whole being finished
with smaller twigs, rushes, feathers, hair, and all sorts of
suitable lining.

The eggs, two or three or four, or even five in number,
are of a bufY white colour, faintly tinged with blue.

Male, length, three feet six inches; bill, red with a tinge
of orange; iris, reddish brown, a bare space of the same
colour surrounds it. Head, crown, neck, nape, chin, and throat,
glossy black, with blue, green, and copper-coloured reflections.
Breast, white; back, glossy black, bronzed with reflections of
blue, green, and copper-colour, varying according to the
light in which the bird is viewed. The greater and lesser
wing coverts likewise exhibit a resplendence of glossy black,
blue, green, and copper-colour reflected, the green shewing
on the margin of the feathers; primaries, black. Tail, black;
under tail coverts, white. Legs and toes, orange red; claws,
black.

In very young birds the bill is dull green; the bare space
round the eyes is olive green. The head, crown, and neck,
reddish brown. The legs, olive green.

In the young in a stage advanced towards maturity, 'mutatis
mutandis,' the bill is dusky red orange, brighter towards the
tip. The iris is hazel; orbits, bright orange. The head,
crown, neck, and nape, are described as being black or dusky
brown, with purple reflections. Breast, white; back, brownish
black, with paler margins to the feathers, and slightly glossed
with green. Legs and toes, orange brown.

SPOONBILL.

125

SPOONBILL.

WHITE SPOONBILL.

Platalea leucorodia, Pennant. Montagu.

" nivea, CuviER.

Platalea. Flatus— Broad. Leucorodia. Ltucos — White.
Rodia — ?

This curious bird was formerly a regular summer visitor
to this country, and built in communities.

In Europe, it is plentiful in Holland, Hungary, and the
south of France; also in Turkey and Greece. It inhabits the
more temperate parts of Russia and Norway, and appears
to have been met with formerly as far north as Bothnia,
Lapland, and the Ferroe Islands. In Asia, it belongs also
to Siberia, and used to be noticed even beyond the Lake
Baikal; also in Persia, in India, in the Dukkun, and in
Syria; as likewise in the region between the Black Sea and
the Caspian Sea. It -is known in Africa to the Cape of
Good Hope.

Spoonbills used formerly to breed in the county of Norfolk,
as for instance at Claxton and Budham. A flock were seen
in the marshes near Yarmouth, in April, 1774, and several
have been obtained in the same neighbourhood recently. In
Yorkshire, one, I was informed, was shot near Mash am; and
! Dr. Farrar obtained a specimen from Staincross, in July, 1833,
but from the state of its win^s he thought it must have
escaped from confinement. One was shot at Wilberfoss, near
Pockiington, in the East-Riding, on the 2nd. of August, 1831.

In Cornwall, in the year 1813, on the 13th. of October,
a flock of eleven Spoonbills was observed to fly over llayle,
and four of them were shot at Gwithian, near St. Ives. One

120 spooy-BiLi.

was obtained near the Land's End, on the 8th. of October,
1845: it was an immature specimen. One also at St. Mary's,
Scilly, the first week in June. 1850; one, also a young bird
of the year, at Frensham Pond, Surrey, October 24th., 1844
One on West Sedge Moor, in the parish of Stoke St. Gregory,
Somersetshire, on the 25th. of November, 1813; one at Lynn,
in Norfolk, about the 23rd. of September, 1843; a nock
occurred in the marshes in 1774; several were killed in the
year 1S08, and two or three are generally killed every spring
on Breydon. In Dorsetshire several, one of them near Poole;
some also in Devonshire. In Suffolk four, one of them at
Aldborough, and the other three at Thorpe, out of a flock
of seven. Two were met with in Lincolnshire, in 1826; they
used to build anciently in that county at Trimley. Selby
alludes to two killed in Lincolnshire. One, a male, on the
Eremol Biver, near Nottingham, in 1833, as William Felkin,
Esq., Jun., has written me word.

The species has occurred also in Worcestershire and
Gloucestershire. In Kent, a flock of six frequented Sandwich
Haven in the first week of June, 1850; one of them was
shot near there, one, an old female, in the WTingham Marshes,
and three were seen flying about in Pegwell Bay.

In Wales, one was procured near Aberystwith, in January,
1838. Two had been obtained near Holyhead, in the Isle of
Anglesea, in the year 1832.

In Ireland, three were seen near Youghall, in the county
of Cork, in the autumn of 1829, and one of them was shot.

Sir Bobert Sibbald mentions it as an occasional visitor to
Scotland, and he states that he also received it from Orkney.
Dr. Fleming mentions one that was shot in Zetland.

The Spoonbill is easily tamed if taken when young, but in
its wild state is shy and distrustful. Marshes, bogs, swamps,
and low grounds moistened by pools and streams, are its
natural haunts. It is pretty good to eat. To itself, when
in confinement, nothing seems to come amiss.

They fly with the neck and legs both stretched out, and
in standing the neck is commonly bent in the form of the
letter S. In flight the wings are widely spread, and moved
with regular flappings, but not very quickly.

It appears to collect its food by ploughing the water above
the soft sand or mud from side to side with its spade-like
bill, keeping it open till something comes in its way, or rather
till it comes in the way of something. This with the neck

SPOONBILL. 127

stretched out, and the whole body meanwhile turning from
left to right, and from right to left, the bird advancing pretty
quickly, and the mandibles being closed when taken out of
the water. They thus, to quote the comparison made use of
by some one who attempted a mathematical definition, 'concur
like parallel lines meeting in one common centre.'

The food that they consume is of various kinds — small
fish, reptiles, worms, leeches, shrimps, sandhoppers, tadpoles,
grasses, and the roots of plants, and on these they feed by
day, roosting at night.

This species also makes a noise by rattling its bill.

The nest is made in a tree, if one be situated conveniently
for the purpose, or else on the stump of a willow, among
rushes and weeds in water, or on the ground. It is put
together of sticks, twigs, and rushes, and lined, if at all,
with finer portions of the like; the former materials are made
use of if it be placed in a tree. Several nests are built
together, if trees for the purpose are in sufficient number.

The eggs, laid in the month of May, are sometimes four,
but usually two or three in number. They are white, spotted
with pale reddish brown: some are without the red spots.

The young, when hatched, remain in the nest until they
are able to fly, when they are led by their parents to the
nearest feeding ground, and are soon left to shift for themselves.

Male; weight, about three pounds and a half; length, two
feet seven or eight inches; bill, black barred with lead-colour,
except near the point, where it is yellow, faintly tinged with
reddish; it is nearly seven inches long, rough at the base and
on the upper surface, being furrowed transversely. Iris, deep
carmine red; the bare parts about the head are yellow. The
flowing feathers of the head are sometimes raised a little,
and give the bird an elegant appearance; they are white in
colour, but in old birds become tinged with orange yellow;
the crown, neck, nape, chin, throat, and breast, are white,
except a band of feathers over the upper part of the last
named of a yellowish buff colour, which tint extends upwards
on each side in a narrow stripe to the top.

The wings have the first quill feather not quite so long as
the fourth, the second and the third equal to each other,
and the longest in the wing, the fourth not quite so long.
Greater and lesser wing coverts, primaries, secondaries, tertiaries,
greater and lesser under wing coverts, tail, and upper and
under tail coverts, white. The legs, which are six inches

138 SPOONBILL.

icm^ and without feathers half way, are black; toes, black,
and connected together by a small web extending as far as
the second joint of the outer, and the first joint of the inner
one; claws, black. The webs are hollowed out on their front
edge.

The female is rather less than the male, but otherwise she
is of the same appearance, except that the crest is rather
shorter, and the gorget on the breast is paler in colour.

In the young of nearly or quite the full growth, the bill
is half an inch shorter than in the old birds; it is of a dark
colour with a shade of yellowish red. Iris, at first whitish
grey, subsequently brown; the bare parts about the head are
paler than in the old bird; the occipital crest is wanting.
The dorsal plumes are also absent.

129

IBIS.

GLOSSY IBIS. BAT IBIS. GREEN TBI 3.

Ibis falcindlus, Fleming. Selbt.

" ignea, STEPHENS

Tantalus falcmellus, PeHNAMT. Montagu

Numeyaus viridis, BeiSG .v

Ibis— The Greek name of a bird. Falcinellus. Fa/x—A hook, from

the shape of the bill.

This Ibis, though of a different species from that which,
worshipped by the Egyptians of old, obtained thence the
name of Sacred, appears to have been also regarded by I
with some degree of veneration, as its remains are found
with those of the other bird, preserved still, alter the I
of so many thousands of years, in the mummies of
catacombs.

In Europe, it occurs on its travels in the islands of the
Archipelago of Greece, and in Sicily, Sardinia, Italy, Switzerland,
France, Holland, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, and tin' southern
parts of Eussia. It is also included an
Denmark, Xorway, and Sweden, and lias b
to Wagler, in Iceland. It belongs likewise to Qorth
— in Egypt, and again southwards,

Hope. ^In Asia, too, in India, in the Dukkun; :
Syria, Thibet, and the districts 1 and

the Caspian Sea, and in the isla
others. Lastly, in America examples ha
several in the Unl-
it exists in vast numb' ling to kui
Florida, and the B
the species as a different one, and tfa
has been wrongly given to the bird at |
sideration.

TOL. V. K

130 ibis.

One was obtained in Devonshire, in 1839; m Norfolk, a
pair were shot at the mouth of the Norwich river, September,
13th., 1824; there were four more in company with them:
others have been met with in that county. Arthur Havers,
Esq., of Tenterden, Kent, informs me of one killed near
Reading- street, on the borders of Romney Marsh, in that
county, in December, 1852; another was shot near Dartford,
in 1837. In Surrey, one was procured on "Whitemore Pond,
near Guildford, in May, 1833; and Meyer saw a flock of birds
which he believed to be of this species, pass over Fairmile
Common, about the year 1837, in September.

In the 'Western Times,' of October 11th., 1851, it was
recorded that a specimen of this exceedingly rare and interesting
British visitor was shot at Holsworthy, in North Devon, a
few days before the above date; it was on the 7th. of
September; one also at Bridestowe, in October, 1835, and
three others also elsewhere; in that county, two were formerly
procured, as recorded by Montagu, and another in 1805. In
Northumberland, one, shot on the bank of the Coquet, near
Rothbury, in the autumn of 1820. In Lancashire, one; in
Cornwall, several; in Dorsetshire, one, near Poole, in October,
1839. N. Rowe, Esq., of Worcester College, has also obligingly
directed my attention to this instance of the occurrence of
this very rare bird. One, of which Mr. M. C. Cooke has
informed me, was shot in a pond at Swanscombe, in Kent;
another, a male bird, nearly in adult plumage, of the occur-
rence of which Mr. John Shaw is my informant, was shot at
Albrighton, Salop, October 3rd., 1853; another was in company
with it at the time. Mr. William Franklin has also written
to me of this specimen. Four or five were shot out of a
flock in the Isle of Anglesea. In Berkshire, one.

In Ireland, one was met with on Lough Dun, in the county
of Longford, about the 20th. of November, 1852.

The Ibis has its vernal and autumnal migrations, north
and south, the former in March and April, and the latter
in August and September.

They generally live in societies, and frequent the shores of
lakes and ponds, the banks of rivers, and any moist places.
They are wild birds, and not easily approached, both from
this cause and the nature of the localities they inhabit.

'The flight of the Ibis is very peculiar, especially during
its migration, when such numbers of them may be seen on
the wing that they are rarely to be counted; and each flock

IBIS. 131

or flight moves on in a single string almost, that is to say,
they fly side by side, and so close together as almost to touch
the tips of each others' wings. When the numbers are great,
the string forms a waving line; if not very numerous they
keep a straight front. This peculiarity shews at once what
birds they are, even if they fly too high to be in other respects
distinguishable.' 'On the wing it is not only strong, but swift
and graceful, its wings being expanded at full length, and
moved with ease and in regular succession. Sometimes the
bird will sail along for some distance, or soar in half circles:
it flies generally very high, and when it alights, it flaps its
w;ngs quickly as it comes near the ground.' This quotation
is from Meyer, who adds, 'When a flock intends to alight,
the line becomes broken; on reaching the chosen spot, the
birds fly in all directions, in great confusion, sailing about
and alighting one after another in quick succession. It is
equally beautiful to see the flock take wing in the same wild
confusion; but in a very short space of time the line is formed
and raised hisrh in the air, durinsr which the length increases
by one bird after another taking its place right and left, and
thus extending or increasing the line until they move off in
this peculiar frontal line.'

They feed on small fish, crickets, beetles, and other insects,
mollusca, worms, the fry of fish, frogs, and the lesser reptiles,
small Crustacea, and shell-fish, snails, and different water-plants.
In search of such they wade deep, and sometimes swim a
little on their way back.

The only note that appears to be uttered is a 'wrah.' and that
when the bird is suddenly disturbed or alarmed.

The nest is placed among the 'debris' of reeds on some
slight elevation, and is formed of dry grass, Bags, and
such materials. Several nests arc placed in proximity bo
each other.

The eggs are two or three in number, and of ■
green colour. "While the female is Bitting, the D
her food, and when not thus a I far 0%

keeping sentry.

This is a bird of resplendent appears metallic

which gilds the greater part of its plun .;.
in various lights to great advanta

Male; weight, about eighteen ounces; length, on<
inches; the bill, in Bome specimens upwards i f
length, but in others considerably less, no doubt according to

132 ibis.

the age of the bird, is blackish green, tinged with purple;
the bare space from it to the eye is olive green, tinged with
grey; a furrow extends along each side of the bill. Iris, dark
brown; head on the crown and sides, deep greenish brown black,
glossed with metallic purple; the feathers are narrow and
pointed. Neck and nape, chin, throat, and breast, all deep
rich reddish brown. Back above, deep rich reddish brown;
below, blackish or brownish green, splendidly enlivened with
glittering shades of purple and green as seen in different lights.

The wings, which expand to the width of two feet nine
inches, have the first and fourth quill feathers equal in length,
the second and third longer, the longest in the wing, and of
mutual equal length. The wings underneath are dark brown.
Greater and lesser wing coverts, dark red brown, with bronzed
reflections of rich purple and green; primaries, dark brownish
black, tinged with green; tertiaries, dark red brown, with
brilliant green and purple reflections. The tail consists of
twelve feathers, slightly forked when closed; they are of a
blackish brown colour, richly tinted with iridescent purple
and green; under tail coverts, dark brown. The legs, rather
long and bare above the knees, are as the toes, blackish
green; claws, dusky olive brown, and not much bent, the
middle one brought to a sharp edge on the inside, and sometimes
slightly but irregularly serrated.

There is little or no difference in the plumage of the male
and female, the latter is rather less; weight, about sixteen
ounces.

The young have at first a brown down; afterwards, before
the first moult, the bill is greenish black, fading to brown
towards the tip, and about five inches in length. Head,
crown, neck on the back, and nape, pale brown, the feathers
margined with white, giving a spotted appearance. On the
throat are one or two narrow transverse bars, and a large
irregular spot of white on a brown ground; the feathers edged
with greenish reflections; breast on the upper part, brown,
with greenish reflections on the margins of the feathers; back,
glossy olive green, with faint changeable reflections of purple
red. Tail and upper tail coverts, dull dark reddish brown.
The whole plumage is at first without the glossy tints, which
gradually afterwards appear. Legs and toes, blackish green.

133

CURLEW.

COMMON CTJBLEW. WHAAP. WHITTETUCK.

Numenius ar quota, Pennant.

" major, Stephens

Scolopax arquataf Montagu

Numenius, Numenia — The New Moon, from the crescented shape
of the bill. Arquata — Arched.

This fine bird well comports in its native demeanour with
trie wild places which it usually frequents, both upland aDd
lowland, and more especially as regards the former.

In Europe, it inhabits Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, the
Ferroe Islands, and Iceland. In Asia it has been received
from Xepaul and China, and belongs likewise to Pondi cherry,
Japan, the Islands of the Eastern Archipelago, the country
near the Caucasus, and Asia Minor, as also northward- • veu
to Siberia. Specimens have also been procured in Southern
Africa.

In Yorkshire, Curlews are sometimes seen on the moors
in the neighbourhood of Halifax, Sheffield, an 1 II
and occasionally on those near Leeds and Eebden
also near York and Doncaster. I have seen it near Burlinj
where it also occurs.

In Cornwall it is described by W. P. docks, Esq, u
common in the neighbourhood of Falmouth. I
plentiful in Norfolk. One was met with

near Farnham, Surrey. They still build d and

on Wixham Moss, in Shropshire; also on b
grounds in Cornwall; and in Devonshire, 0O Darl
used formerly to do also on Exmoor. So thtijj vover

134 CTJBLEW.

in Northumberland on the hills. In like manner in Scotland,
in Sutherlandshire and the Isle of Mull.

In Ireland, I have noticed them near Foaty, the fine place
of James Smith Barry, Esq. ; and they also frequent the snores
of the River Lee, on the other side of the island, near Marino,
the beautiful seat of- Thomas George French, Esq., a distant
connection of my family. They breed in some of the large
bogs.

In Orkney it is common, and remains throughout the
year.

Early in April they begin to leave their haunts by the
sea, and to seek the far distant interior, in which for the
summer months they will abide. Small flocks, of from five
to ten, are generally seen thus passing through the interior,
and larger numbers along the coast, the union of different
nights which have come one after another.

The Curlew breeds in the most retired situations, and for
the most part in hilly districts; on the lone wild heath, the
solitary moor, the open down, and the barren sheep-walk,
especially near places that are wet and marshy. It also
frequents the sea-shores, the mud-banks and sand-flats of rivers,
and the edges of lochs, both maritime and in the mainland
At times it perches on high trees. It walks well, and wades
deep, and is able to swim with ease. It is a very difficult
bird to approach, but may be enticed by a skilful imitation
of its whistle. It is exceedingly good eating. It soon becomes
tame in confinement, whether captured young or old, and will
follow the person about that is accustomed to feed it. In
the wild state they are very timid and shy, except when
engaged with their nest, and are only to be circumvented by
stratagem. In winter they are gregarious.

During migration, or in any more extended flight, either
high over head, or close over the land or water, or even on
their return from the mainland to the shore to feed, they
advance in the shape of a wedge, and in the latter case if
one such party be alarmed, a 'signal whistle' is given, which
those that come after are guided by, and uttering it in repetition
for those that follow, to be taken up again by them in turn,
deviate to a safer track. If frequently thus disturbed they
soon profit by experience, and resort to a different route.

Their flight, which is not very rapid, is executed with
regular strokes of the wing, quickened if necessary according
to circumstances. They alight somewhat suddenly, closing

CURLEW. 136

the wings, and dropping nearly to the ground, then iwe
up once more a little, and then settling down. 1
stand on one leg, or rest themselves by lying down.

They make their food in winter of small marine insects,
crabs, and other minute Crustacea; mollusk-
such; and when the flowing tide covers the sand wl
are to be procured, they retire inland even to a considerable
distance; but as soon as ever the ebbing wav
retired back so far towards their fixed gaol as to \
sandy margin again uncovered, back, almost to a mo.
do the flocks return, taught by some sense which is out of
the range of sight, but which 'He that planted the eye' lias
likewise implanted, as He has every other proper gift in Hi-
creatures, according to their several need. In summer they
pick up flies and different insects, in addition to such of the
other kinds of food enumerated here, as may then con.
their way; and also bilberries, whortleberries, lichen
of grass, and the tender tops of twigs. They drink od
and are fond of bathing themselves.

The loud, clear whistle of the Curlew is exceedingly pie.-
to such as delight in those retired scenes in which it is 1.
and with which, as I have said, it so well harmonizes. It
is uttered by the bird when on the wing, and its name I
suppose has been considered to resemble it. It may be heard
high in the air during migration, and also in fcb
at which season the male serenades his mate, mfj

aloft, and wailing out his quivering cry. If an int:
approaches the nest, or its intended site, he
both birds, who dash at him with noisy seivams. and
about him within a few yards. Th to a

distance and there followed, endeavour to entice tl
away further by running and skulking in B

The nest, if any be made in some Blight hollow,
only of a little dry grass, twigs, I in

the' middle of a tuft of the form

The eggs, laid in April and May, are four in nam
they differ much both in their ground colour and '
They are of a pale dull green, blotted all OTer with
shades of brown. They are WJ 1 - H*

bird. They are placed quatrefoi] in I
inwards. 'The young run about ftlmoel II BO
but are not able to fly for I I • .

they are assiduously * attended to by their

183 CTTELEW.

approached, they hide themselves among the inequalities of
the ground, and lie very close, the old birds endeavouring
the while to attract the enemy away.

These birds vary very considerably in size, as well as in
shades of their plumage. Male; weight, twenty to twenty-two
ounces, and upwards; length, one foot nine inches. Bill, dark
brown, except the inner part of the lower one, which is paler,
shading into yellowish red. It varies considerably in length —
to six or seven inches. Iris, dark brown. Head, crown, neck
on the back, and nape, pale yellowish grey brown, each feather
streaked longitudinally with darker, the dark mark widest at
the base; chin, white; throat, pale yellowish cream grey brown,
streaked longitudinally with darker brown; breast above,
yellowish brown; below, white, with spot-like streaks of dark
brown. Back above, light dusky brownish black, slightly
glossed with purple, with pale brown or greyish or yellowish
white edges to the feathers; the lower part white, with the
shafts of the feathers forming marked streaks.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; the axillary
feathers are barred, and sometimes clouded with brown.
Greater wing coverts, black; lesser wing coverts, blackish
brown, with almost white edges, and running into bars on the
inner webs. The first five primaries, brownish black, glossed
with purple, and with white shafts. The outer webs much
darker than the inner ones, which are barred half across
with white. Secondaries and tertiaries, blackish brown in the
centre, and crossed transversely on the edges with dark and
light brown. Tail, 'barrv' of dark brown and dull yellowish
white, the edges of the bars irregular, and often clouded and
tinted wdth reddish white. Upper tail coverts, white, with a
narrowed streak of dark brown towards the end; under tail
covert-, wrhite, with an occasional dusky streak. Legs and
toes, pale bluish grey, or greenish lead-colour; the latter have
a membranous edging on each side down to the claws.

Female; weight in some specimens as much as thirty-seven
ounces. Length, from two feet one to two feet two inches.

The young are at first covered with yellowish wThite down,
varied with spots and patches of brown.

137

ESQUIMAUX CURLEW.

Numenius borealis, Xuttall. Audubon.

Scolopax borealis, WlLSOX

Numenius. Numenia — The new moon, from the curved shape of the
bill. Borealis— Of or belonging to the north.

This species of Curlew is a native of the northern parts
of North America.

Its first occurrence as an 'addendum' to our British list
was on the 6th. of September, 1855, when a specimen was
shot by W. R. Cusack Smith, Esq., in the parish of Darns,
in the county of Kincardine, Scotland, on the top of one of
the mountains of the Grampian range.

These birds appear to migrate southwards by the beginning
of August, returning to the north in the spring.

If pursued they are said to crouch close to the ground,
the head and neck being laid down. They congregate in
flocks.

They fly in an easy manner, and run swiftly.

They feed on water insects and their Ian the

fruit of the cranberry.

The note, uttered on the wing, is
repeated.

The eggs are three or four in number, and of a g
colour, with a few large irregular-shaped

Male; length, about fourteen inches; hill, brownish bl
the base of the lower mandible pale yelk
brown, over the eye is a nearly whi

brownish black, the feathers edged with reddiab brown, i
sides yellowish brown with brown streal s
brown; the feathers edged with dull while, the
brown with small Longitudinal reddish bro*

138 ESQUIMAUX CrELEW.

nearly white; breast, yellowish grey tinged with brown. Back,
on all the upper part, blackish brown, relieved with light
edges to trie feathers, on the lower part dark brown with
lighter edges. Primaries, dusky brown, the shafts of the first
four white, of the others darker, shading into pale brown;
secondaries, paler dusky brown ; greater and lesser under wing
coverts, chesnut brown, with irregular brown marks. The tail
consists of twelve feathers, which are grey, with dark brown
bars, edged and tipped with brownish white; upper tail coverts,
barred with dark and light shades. Legs and toes, dark green.

WHIMBB EL.

139

WHIMBREL.

LITTLE WHAAP. WHIMBREL CURLEW.

Numenius phceopus, Pennant.

" hudsonicus, Brisson.

" minor, Brisson.

Scolopax pheeopus, Montagu.

Phceopus arquatus, Stephkn3.

Arquata minor, Kay.

Numenius. Numenia — The New Moon, from the crescented shape of the bill.
Phceopus. Phaios— Dark. Ops — The countenance.

This species is very closely allied to the Curlew, but is not
nearly so numerous.

Northward it visits Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Lapland,
the Ferroe Islands, and Iceland; and to the south is seen in
Italy, Spain, France, Friesland, Holland, Germany, and the
Islands of the Mediterranean. In India it has been found
in the Himalayan range, Bengal, Java, and the region of
the Caucasus; and in Africa, in the northern
in Madeira. America is given too as one of its ootmj
so is also New Holland.

These birds are met with not uncommonly
above Sheffield; also, though rarely, near Eebden Br
Doncaster, Halifax, and Huddersfield. I one
Dorsetshire, on the sea-coast, near Channouth. [I was a
very low tide, and I had to get near the bird Bl «reU as I
could over the open shore, there being no
sort. In the end, however, I succeeded, tnuob to m\
gratulation at the time. In Norfolk the Whinik
one was shot at Sutton Marsh, near Wil
of May, 1850.

140 WHIMBBEL.

In Scotland it occurs during the course of migration from
the Grampians to Sutherlandshire, and breeds on the Island
of Handa, and other parts of Sutherlandshire, in the northern
and most retired districts. Sir William Jardine has found
it in June, in Kircudbrightshire. In Orkney it is common as
a summer visitant, and breeds in Hoy; also in Shetland, in
Yell, and Hascosea. In Ireland it is seen only, according to
Mr. Thompson, in spring and autumn.

The course of its migration is northwards for the breeding
season, about the month of May, and southwards 'au retour,'
in the autumn, in July and August; the old birds in the
former month, and the young ones in the latter. The flocks
advance at a considerable height in the air, and in the form
of the letter Y reversed.

The Whimbrel, too, delights in summer in the most
desolate districts, open moors, and barren tracts, especially
those in which watering places occur, and in the winter
frequents the sands of the shore, and the mud-banks, and
mud or sand-islands of the estuaries of rivers, or of the sea.
It, like the larger species, is a very fine bird to eat. More
than four or five are rarely seen together, and these probably
the brood of the preceding year. They are rather shy in
their habits, and a few of the number are posted as sentinels
twenty or thirty yards from the main body, and on notice
of the approach of any danger given by these, the whole
number are in an instant on the wing; young birds are
sometimes met with more unwary. During the breeding
season, they sometimes perch on a knoll or the low fragment
of some decayed or storm-blasted tree. Before rain they are
noisy and restless.

This bird feeds on insects, mollusks, and worms, which it
procures by probing with its bill in the sands or other soft
places; also on small crabs, beetles, and other insects;
grasshoppers, crickets, and snails, and the whortleberry,
crowberry, and bilberry. When the tide is up, in the season
of their sojourn by the sea, they leave the shore temporarily
for the adjoining fields, but instinctively return to the former
the moment it is again left uncovered.

Yarrell writes, 'Their note is said to resemble the words
'tetty, tetty, tetty, tet,' quickly repeated.' Meyer however,
and I think better, renders it by 'twoiwe/ or ;tloiwe,' and
also a 'tsei, tsei.'

The nest is a rude couch, placed among the heather on the

WHIMBEEL. 141

open moor, on or by some hillock, or low stump. A tew
dry grasses are the materials of its composition, and it is
scarcely hid from view.

The eggs are four in number, of a dark olive brown colour,
blotted with darker brown. They are wide at one end.
much narrower at the other, and are placed in the
with the pointed ends inwards. They are considered .
eating, and being sought for on this account, the on
the birds are diminished in consequence. The male
female sit on them by turns. If disturbed from them
make great outcries to distract the intruder. The young
leave the nest as soon almost as hatched, and quickly learn
to skulk most warily on the approach of danger.

Male; weight, about fourteen ounces; length, one foot four
inches; bill, deep brownish black; pale brown, - red,

at the base of the upper mandible. It is above three inches
in length when the bird is fully adult. From its base to
the eye is a dark brown streak; above it and over the eye
is another light-coloured one; eye-brows, white, streaked with
brown; iris, dark brown; eyelids, white. Forehead, bf
head on the crown, dark brown, with a light brov
passing backwards, occasioned by the feathers being broadly
margined with white; on the sides it is white, decked with
brown thickly and broadly. Neck on the back and i
dull brownish or ochreous white, with a dark streak on
centre of each feather; chin, white; throat and breast,
brown, or greyish white above, on the sides, white, irregularly
barred across with brown; below it is nearly whi
shafts being neatly streaked in a hair-like manner.
above, brownish black, the feathers n. £
ochreous white; on its lower part white.

The wings have the first quill Feather tl
axillary feathers are barred with brown,
wing coverts, dusky brown, with dull brownish white
to the feathers; prima
and tertiaries, dusky, bai
white or grey, the centre I
barred with six or b
feathers graduate d
barred with dark

with brown loi : "lack

or bluish _

The female has all the pale til

142 WHIMBKEL.

one foot six inches. The upper tail coverts are seen in her
more distinctly barred with brown.

In the young the bill is very short the first year, being
not more than one inch and a half or two inches in length.
It is said also to become more curved in the advance to the
mature state.

113

SPOTTED REDSHANK.

DTJSKY SAKDPIPEK. SPOTTED SNIPE. BLACK-HEADED 8NIPE.
COURLAND SXIPE. DUSKY SNIPE.

Totanus fuscus, Fleming. Selbt.

Scolopax fuscus, Morris.

" totanus, Pennaxt. Montagu.

Totanus— ? Fuscus— Dark— dark brown.

This is a native of Europe, North America, and Asia;
occurring in India.

Of the present species Pennant records one specimen obtained
in the Isle of Anglesea. Montagu notices two, both procured
in Devonshire.

In April, 1838, one was found in the Isle oi* Ely, in
Cambridgeshire; one shot near there September 11th., 1851.
In Norfolk three near Yarmouth; others have been met with
at Breydon; specimens indeed occur every year in that county,
chiefly young birds in spring and autumn, but indivi
also at other periods of the year. In Yorkshire one was
killed about the year 1828, at Braithwell Grange,
the moors near Whitby, and Hebden Bridge. In Suffolk one
near Ipswich; and one at Cavenham the first week in
tember, 1851. In Sussex one at Eastbourne, the «;'
same month. Five were caught in a net
September the 3rd. and the 6th. In Bampehire OB
Oakhanger, in the parish of Selborne, the 80tL d
1851.

In Northumberland two. Tn Cumberland tin riDfld

near Carlisle, and one near AYhitehaven. In Cornwall 01
1840. In Gloucestershire two; others have been purchased

144 SPOTTED BEDSHANK.

in the London markets. In Scotland, as mentioned by Sir
William Jardine, two on the Frith of Forth, about Queen's
Ferry.

In Ireland, one in the Bay of Belfast, in August, 1823.
In Orkney one was shot by the late William Strang, Esq.,
in Sanday, in September, 1849.

It breeds in various parts of Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway,
Lapland, and Denmark. It likewise is met with in Italy,
France, Switzerland, Spain, and Holland. It is also a native
of Asia, and has been procured in Siberia, and in India — in
Bengal.

It is a sea-shore bird, but occurs likewise still more on the
edges of rivers, ponds, and lakes, morasses and water meadows;
moist grounds and mud banks being principally suitable to
its requirements.

The period of its migration is during April and May in
the spring of the year, and from the middle of August to
September in the autumn. They are said to move in troops
of from five to ten, to twenty or thirty, and at such times
to fly very near together, and when on the ground to keep
very closely grouped.

It is careful, but not particularly shy, and is tamed without
much difficulty, so as even to eat from the hand. Meyer
says, 'The Spotted Redshank rests on the ground by the
water side, most generally during the day, and also at night,
when the night is very dark. Its position during roosting is
either standing on one leg, or sitting with its head under its
wing. The appearance of this species is very handsome when
walking on the ground, and its movements elegant; it can
run very fast at pleasure, owing to its long legs. When in
the act of feeding, it walks with its beak near the ground,
and when it finds some prey, reaches out its neck quickly
at some length, and draws it in again immediately. Wading
is a daily habit with this species, and when it gets beyond
its depth, it swims very readily with ease, and for some
distance, nodding at every stroke of its feet; and in diving
it excels many water-birds, if urged by the approach of
danger in any form.

On the wing the present species is swift and strong; it
flies at a great height, and when in the act of alighting,
drops itself down in a sloping line, with its wings almost
closed, and often in very elegant evolutions.'

It feeds on worms, beetles, and water-insects, and minute

SPOTTED BEDSHA>'K. 145

shell-fish; but it is particularly asserted of it, that it is not
a 'Vegetarian' in any degree.

Savi, the Italian ornithologist, liken? the note to the
syllables 'ohi-o, chi-o.' Meyer to 'tshuit, tshuit,' quickly
uttered.

In this species the plumage of the upper parts is silky
and soft in its texture, but those pf the under parts close
set and downy. Male; weight, abo"t>t five ounces; length,
one foot and about half an inch, to one foot two inches;
the bill, long, slender, and a little turned up for about half
its length towards the tip, is nearly black in summer, in
winter glossy black, except the base of the lower mandible,
which, in the former season, is bright red, and in the latter
not so bright; in winter there is a dusky streak, and over it
agaia a white one, from the base of the bill to the eye.
Iris, dark brown; the eyelid under the eye, white. Head,
crown, neck on the back, and nape, in summer, sooty black-
in winter, grey; chin, white in winter; throat, in summer, sooty
black — in winter, on the front and sides, greyish white. Breast,
in summer, black, with white tips to a few of the feathers;
in winter, white, and on the sides slightly tinged and streaked
with grey. Back above, in summer, sooty black, with white
tips and margins; in winter, more grey, below white.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; the
axillary plume is white; when closed, they reach a little
beyond the tail: they expand to very nearly two feet. Greater
-wing coverts, in summer, sooty black, the feathers edged,
margined, and tipped with well-defined triangular-shaped
spots of pure white; in winter greyish brown, tipped and
edged with white in alternate bars; lesser wing coverts, also
in summer, sooty black, with the tips and margins white;
in winter grey margined with white; primaries, in summer,
black, the first with the shaft white; in winter greyisl
dusky black; secondaries and tertiaries, in summer, sooty black,
with the margins and tips of the leathers white;
and lesser under wing coverts, white, with dusky grey s
Tail, in summer, greyish black, with narrow transv
bars; in winter the middle leathers barred with blackish
and grey; the outer ones on each side barred with bla
grey and white; upper tail barred in summer with

black and white, in winter with dusky grey and white; under
tail coverts, barred with black and white in summer, in winter
white. The legs, which are lung and slender and unfeathered

VOL. V. L

146 SPOTTED EEDSHANK,

above the knee for about an inch and a half, are as the toes,
dark transparent red in summer, in winter red. Claws, black.

The female is rather larger than the male.

In the young of the year the bill is brownish black, the
base of the under mandible red; between it and the eye is a
patch of white, and below it is another of brown. The head
on the sides is mottled with dusky and white in streaks, on
the crown as is the neck on the back, tinged with olive
brown, generally without spots, but sometimes with a few
white edges to the feathers; nape, greyish brown, with pale
rusty streaks and spots; chin, white; throat, greyish, with paler
rusty streaks or spots. The breast is clouded and spotted or
crossed with grey, dusky, and rufous, on a dull white ground;
the back above is tinged with olive brown, the margins of
the feathers having small triangular spots of white; below it
is white. Greater and lesser wing coverts, deep brown, with
large triangular-shaped spots of white, or the dark colour may
be considered as forming the spots; of the primaries, the first
feather has the shaft white, the others brown; the inner webs
of the first five are mottled toward the base with grey and
dusky, which colouring terminates in triangular-shaped spots
towards the centre and tips; secondaries, dusky, the borders
of the feathers darkest, and reflected with pale green and
purple, and these also still more mottled with grey and
dusky; tertiaries, the same, but much darker. Tail feathers,
dusky black with black shafts, and darkest towards their
edges, barred with greyish white; it is of a double wedge-
shape, the middle and outer feathers being the longest; upper
tail coverts, white barred with dusky; under tail coverts, dull
white, spotted and barred with pale grey, dusky, and rufous.
The legs and toes, yellowish orange red, the colour varying
with age and season. Claws, black.

117

REDSHANK.

COMMON REDSHANK. REDSHANK 8A2TDPIPEB. ftED-LEG.

BED-LEGGED HOESEMAX. EKD-LEG(iEl) s\
GAMBET SAXDPIPEH.
STEIATED SA^DPIPEE. SAXDCOCK. POOL SMI'i,

Scolopax calidris, Pennant. Mon :

" Totanus, Biusso.v. Ray.

Totanus calidris, Fleming. Selby.

Tnnga striata, Latham

" Gau:betta. LlNNJSrs. Gmelin. I.

Scolopax — A Woodcock. Cahdris-

This bird is found in Europe, in Iceland, the !
Lapland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the Islands of the
Baltic Sea; also in Holland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Q
and Spain. In Asia it appertains to Persia, Siberia, and J;
and is said also to belong to North America, about
Bay, but the Prince of Canino, Lucien Buonaparl
and again to Africa, in which latter it is well know;
plentiful. With us it is indigenous, but local.

Redshanks are common in Lincolnshire and and

are also met with in Dorsetshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall,
near G-wyllyn Vase and other places, but rarely; K \ D
Northumberland, and Cumberland. In Norfolk
frequent throughout the year, their numbers bobd v. 1;
in spring and autumn by migratory birds on tl
north or the south. In Surrey one was met pritfa
Grodalming. In Yorkshire they breed on
near Doncaster, and on Strensall Common
wise, though rarely, near Leeds and Buddersfield 1
to be so on the stream near Drillield.
now. One was killed at Sessay, near ifoi
1833, as Edward D. Swarbreck, Esq., oi

148 EEDSHAKK.

me. In Oxfordshire on the Isis, near Bampton. In Derbyshire
small parties occur in the winter near Melbourne. They are
met with in Orkney and Shetland throughout the year.

In Ireland they are very plentiful in Dublin Bay, and
have been obtained in other parts of the county of Wicklow.
They occur likewise in Scotland, in Forfarshire, on the banks
of the Sol way, at Southerness, and Sutherlandshire, on the
banks of Loch Doulich and Loch Naver, also near Lairg, and
indeed in all the marshy parts of the hills.

In the winter they frequent the sea shore, delighting in the
sandy or muddy flats which are in many places left uncovered
by the falling tide of the 'ever sounding and mysterious main;'
and in spring they repair to fenny places and marshes, and
the borders of lakes, ponds, and pools.

They travel northwards in the months of March and April
to their breeding haunts; and southwards from July to the
end of September. They move in the evening or by night,
the adult birds singly or in pairs, the younger either in families
or flocks. It is rare to see more than three or four old ones
together. The former are said to progress farther northwards
than the latter. They are shy birds, and sometimes try to
escape notice by remaining motionless under cover of the
uneven surface of the ground.

In running along the sands they exhibit a dipping motion,
as may be seen in other birds of the class. 'The ordinary
posture of the young Eedshank is with the head sunk back
between the shoulders, the back of the neck being bare of
feathers.' This species is tamed without much difficulty. 'Its
attitude when walking is very graceful and elegant; when
running it moves about with a wonderfully light step, hardly
touching the ground with its feet. It rarely runs, unless it
is provoked to do so. It wades, reaching its head down
under water at full length, but does not dive or swim by
choice. The flight of the Eedshank is generally performed
with quick motions of the wings, which are not opened at
full length, although the bird floats frequently some distance
on the wing during the pairing season, in fine still weather.
When alighting, it is very beautiful to see this bird, just
before coming to the ground, turn up its wings, as pigeons
are known to do, and shewing thus the white under surface.'

They frequent the same spots, and take the same flights
day after day, and resting on the margin at full tide assemble
a^ain on the rocks as soon as left uncovered.

REDSHANK. IV.)

These birds sometimes perch on trees. They can swim
well if necessitated to do so. In winter they assemble in
flocks, often from a dozen to fifty, and upwards from
hundred and fifty to two hundred, and are then difficult to
approach, being always on the look-out and ready to take
wing on the slightest alarm. If disturbed while t
are yet unable to fly, they are very vociferous,
about an intruder with a slow quivering flight, and I
stooping close down, as if to buffet him, whistling shrilly
while doing so, with their red legs stretched out 1
drooping, as if languidly, under them. Indeed at any I
especially if approached unawares, they utter a wild scream
of alarm, more or less loud, which, if not intend
taken as a signal by other birds about.

They feed on grasshoppers, beetles, marine and

worms, and in search of these bore with their bills in the
mud and sand, jumping up and so pressing them in by the
weight of their bodies. They likewise eat portions of m
and mosses.

The call-note of the Eedshank is only a 'dgae, dgae,' or
'liddle, liddle.'

The nest, of a little coarse grass, is made by the mai
margins of lakes and other uncultivated watery places, on I
of flags, or in some slight depression, or sheltered I
or tuft of herbage, as also, it is said* occasionally

The eggs, deposited early in May, are | bits*

tinged with green, and blotted, spotted, and a
dark red brown, most at the larger end; some var.
bluish grey. They are four in number. 1
hatched in from fourteen to sixteen days, and in
quit the nest, under the tutelage of the in.
male taking no care of them; they are soon fled
able to provide for themselves.

Male; weight, about five ounces, or five and a hall
nearly eleven inches; bill, in winter brownish
point, dark red at the inner par': from
streak runs to and over the eye. Ir
from the bill is a white streak above the
on the sides, white; in winter
brown shafts; on the crown and
brown, with olive reflections; in win!
darker shaft streaks; neck in front, white; in
and streaked with greyish or browi

150 BEDSHAFK.

reflections, which are more distinct towards summer; nape in
winter, grey brown. Chin, white in summer, with a few small
specks of brown m winter; throat, white, in winter greyish
white, with narrow brown shaft lines; breast above, white,
slightly streaked; and in spring more spotted and streaked
on the sides with brownish black; below white; back above,
in spring and summer, greyish brown, with some darker
feathers, and tinged with olive; in winter grey brown, with
darker shaft streaks; on the lower part in winter, white, or
with small dusky specks.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest, they
expand to the width of one foot nine inches; the greater
wing coverts are in spring, brownish black, with olive reflec-
tions, margined with white on the edges, more strongly
marked in summer; in winter, greyish brown, margined with
white; lesser wing coverts, brownish olive in summer; in
winter greyish brown; primaries, dusky; in winter almost
black; secondaries, dusky, tipped with white; tertiaries, dusky
margined with white; in spring and summer varied with spots
of brownish black, and more distinctly so in summer. The
tail, of twelve rounded feathers, the centre ones, which are
greyish white, being the longest, and giving it somewhat of
a wedge-shape, is in winter white, barred across with dusky
grey; the upper tail coverts transversely barred with blackish
brown and white; under tail coverts, white, in winter with a
few slight dusky marks along the shafts of the feathers.
Legs, long, and, as the toes, red, in winter paler; their colour
is conspicuous both on the ground and in flight; the three
front ones are partially webbed, the first and second nearly
to the second joint, the second and third only very slightly;
claws, black.

After the young are left to themselves the winter plumage
begins again to be assumed.

The female is like the male, but somewhat larger; length,
about eleven inches.

The young of the year, previous to the assumption of the
winter plumage, have between the bill and the eye a large
patch of brown, the base of the bill yellowish, the eyebrows
white. Neck on the back and nape, grey ash-coloured brown;
4Jie feathers with yellowish margins; throat, white, with fine
streaks of grey; breast, cinereous, with narrow brown streaks;
back, grey ash-coloured brown; the feathers with yellowish
margins. The tail with the tips reddish.

loi

YELLOW-SHANKS.

YELLOW-SHANKED BAJfTDPIPJ i;. I

Totanus flavipes, NuTTALL. Audubon

Scolopax flavipes, YVn

Totanus— ? Flavipes. Fiavus—W,

This Sandpiper abounds in North America, in va
parts of the United States, and, in fau Florida to

Labrador.

In this country it has only occurred as a rarity,
having been shot at Misson, Nottingham* . .try,

Yorkshire. It was preserved by Mr. Hugh
an old acquaintance of mine, and purel.
M. Milner, Bart., M.P. for York.

They migrate northwards in Ma; If IB

September.

They frequent the mud banks, wet marshes, and
of the sea-coast; and also have b
by the sides of inland streams, and OD eulti,
They shew the usual signs of alarm on the D
approached, flying round the in'
and feet.

They feed on small lishes, shrimps, prater and las I
grasshoppers, and worms.

The note is a sharp whistle of tlnv
uttered when flying and wli

Male; length* nine Ln<
black, the upper mandible rounded t
projects slightly downwi
iris, dark brown. Head, CT0WI1, I

152 YELLOW-SHANKS.

ash grey, slightly varied with occasional darker-coloured
streaks. Chin and throat, white; breast on the middle and
lower portion, white, the sides with ash grey streaks; back on
the upper part, ash grey, the lower almost black.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; they
reach about half an inch beyond the end of the tail; the
axillary plume white; greater and lesser wing coverts, greyish
black, the margins of the feathers varied with white. Pri-
maries, black, the shaft of the first white, the others with
shafts of light brown; secondaries, greyish black, the edges
white. Tail, white, with numerous ash-coloured bands, broadest
on the central feathers, which are rather longer than the
others, with about twelve narrower bands on each outside
one; upper tail coverts, white, those next the back with two
semicircular bands of dark grey on a white ground; under
tail coverts, white, those next the back with two semicircular
bands of dark grey on a white ground; under tail coverts,
white, Legs and toes, yellow.

153

GREEN SANDPIPER.

WHISTLING SANDPIPER. WOOD BAHDP1

Tringa ochropus, p B \ \ A n i M

" A/drovancU, Rat.

Tetanus ochropus, Fleming. Sei.by.

Tringa— ? Ochropu$ Ochros — Yellowish green. Poms A fcot

Theee are some birds which always, you know not why,
arrest the attention more than others; some, even t
very rare, always seem more interesting objects
than others, and their acquisition a thing of m
So it is; but if you 'bid me discourse' as to the reason of
it, I have only to confess my ignorance, while 1 own I
feeling of which I speak. The Green Sandpiper i
such birds: it is only in a comparatively few
I have unexpectedly met with it on the brink of
in this or that retired place.

It is a very interesting species, and raff
to be always worth obtaining. J
distribution, occurring in each of the four qua
in Europe — in Sweden, and in different pal
and in Italy, France, ( I
In Asia — in Siberia, Persia, India, I
mountains of Caucasus, and in Japan. In Africa
and in America — about Hudson's I

In Yorkshire it is occasionally
Hebden Bridge, Buddersfield, and Le I at

Low Moor in ls:}0; one in L8S6
in July near Darnsley; one at T< ; '
1839; one at Pirstal in 1810; one near I.
Lord Wenlock, in August, L85XX

154 GKEEJST SAtfDPIPEB.

In Norfolk they occur in some numbers both on the coast
and in the inland marshy districts; one was shot near Lynn,
the beginning of January, 1853. A few well-authenticated
instances have been recorded of its breeding in this county.
One was obtained by L. H. Irby, Esq., from Saham Tony, in
Norfolk, killed near there June 14th., 1853.

They are mostly seen with us in winter, and I am inclined
to believe do not altogether leave the country in summer, but
only are less noticed from their resorting then to the most
sequestered places, there to build.

Specimens have been shot in Cambridgeshire, in May and
August. One was shot, as recorded by the Rev. Leonard
Jenyns, in the Isle of Ely, between Downham and the
Hundred-foot River, on the 28th. of August, 1821. A party
of five were seen one summer in Suffolk, near Levington;
other six in Norfolk, near Attleburgh. Four young were
hatched on the estate of Sir Thomas Eeevor, in 1829, one,
also a young bird, near Grodalming, Surrey; and some young
broods, with their parents, were seen near Yarmouth, in the
Isle of Wight, the first week of August, 1837. Mr. Selby
mentions his having met with them by small rills on the
moors near Twizell, in Northumberland, in August; ; another
was also shot in the same county; and two, a male and
female, were killed by John Murray, Esq., of Murray thwaite,
in Dumfriesshire, near that place in the spring of 1829.

One of these birds, a male, was shot by R. A. Julian, Esq.,
Senior, on the River Erme, near Plymouth, in Devonshire,
on the 15th. of August, 1849: and one, a female, by Mr.
R. A. Julian, Junior, on the banks of the Plym, on the
17th. of August, 1850; also a young one, July 31st., 1851,
at Crab tree, near the same place. One in Cornwall, near
Falmouth, by J. Passingham. Esq., August 28th., 1847, and
a pair were obtained near St. Keyme, East Looe. Others,
the Hon. T. L. Powys has informed me, used to frequent, in
August, the River Nene, near Lilford, Northamptonshire; a
few occur most winters about Brighthampton, near Witney,
Oxfordshire.

In Ireland a pair, male and female, were procured in the
county of Kildare, in October. 1846.

About the end of April or beginning of May the Green
Sandpiper moves northwards, and by the end of July begins
to retrace its way to the regions from whence it had come,
which movement continues till the beginning of September.

QBEEX SABDPIFEB.

It is described as journeying principally alone, or in |

six or seven being the most that are seen jours ,

and these generally young birds. Its

during the night, from dusk to daylight. 'D

it frequents the moist banks of rivers,

very rarely the sea side, and when disturbed 0

to a great distance on its way, either north

according to the time of the year, in which direction

destination lies. It flies always at a great • I

whence it descends like a stone to the sp

to alight, either for rest or food.'

They are said to be exceedingly good birds to eat. i
are of very shy and solitary habits, and do not admit of a
near approach, unless it be an unexpected one favour.. I
the sheltered nature of the cover which they naturally
They do not keep to the same spot for more than
four hours.

They are noticeable in flight from the white of the
and tail coverts.

They run with facile agility, and, if occ
great swiftness. They fly well and strongly, the w
the most part being not fully stretched, but quicklj
before alighting they are almost closed, and the bird 1
down until near the ground, when it makes on
turns and then settles. In running along t
flirt up and spread the tail. If suddenly b1
off at a low height, following the winding of '
first silently, but then uttering their whistling
mounting high into the air.

They feed on insects, their larva

The note, a shrill whistle, has been til
'cheet,' repeated, and also to 'dlee. dl
die.' It is one which you will b

The nest is either in sand on a bank,
the side of a stream.

The eggs, four in number,
colour, with dusky or dark brown and 1
and grey spots, more or less dark.

Male; weight, about three oun<
more; length, nine inches and a half
slender, and dull greenish bl
dusky black; from it a pale d
proceeds to and over tb •• ot

156 GREEN SANDPIPER.

the bill there is a dusky patch; iris, hazel, over it from
the base of the upper mandible extends a whitish streak.
Head on the crown, neck on the back, and nape, dusky
greenish brown, slightly waved with a darker shade, and
speckled with small triangular white spots or streaks; chin,
white; throat, white, streaked downwards with dusky grey
and pale greenish arrow-headed lines; breast above, white, on
the sides and upper part streaked with greyish black and pale
greenish; below, white; back, dusky brownish green, undulated
with darker shades, and studded with small triangular-shaped
white spots.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; greater
and lesser wing coverts, also dusky green, waved with darker
colour; primaries and secondaries, dusky black, the shafts
darkest — the latter are very long; tertiaries, also very long,
dusky black, tinged with green, and with numerous small
light-coloured spots on the outside margins; greater and
lesser under wing coverts, deep greyish black, with narrow
cross-bars of white of a V, or 'chevron,' shape. Tail, white
at the base, the outside feather on each side nearly immaculate,
but with one small dark spot or bar on the outer web near
the end, the next feather with two dark spots, the third and
fourth with two rather large broad dark bands, the fifth
and sixth respectively with three or four dark bands; upper
tail coverts, white. Legs and toes, greenish grey black; the
middle and outer ones are united by a short membrane.
Claws, dusky.

157

WOOD SANDPIPER.

LONG-LEGGED SANDPIPER.

Tringa glareola, Pennant. Moki

" Grail' MOBTTAGU.

Totanus glareola, Tleming. Selby.

Tringa — . . , ? Glareola. Glares— Sand— pebbles— b]

This Sandpiper appears to inhabit divers countri
north as the Arctic circle, Norway, Lapland, Sweden,
others; it is seen also in France, Italy, and Malta; and has
been brought from Africa, from the Cape of Good Hop*. ;
from Asia — from India and Java. It has likewise been
cured from Chili, in America; and, it is said, from the Islands
of the Pacific Ocean.

Mr. William Felkin, Junior, of Carrington, nea; '.am,

has obligingly informed me of the occurrence of this bird in
Nottingham meadows; and also on the Trent :
One was shot, as recorded in the *Z
Yarmouth, Norfolk, in April, 1847; one
Doncaster, Yorkshire; one at Ditton Marsh, in f
pair were observed on Weald Common, 1.
in May, 1810; and one of them, the

Other individuals have been met with u ( -hire,

Lincolnshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk. In tha
occasionally at the beginning and end of Bumn
on the 22nd. of April, L852. 1
amwell, one an old female, the other a
bad not entirely lost its down, in tl In

Northumberland one at Ellingham, in I
1828; and a second at Preetwioli Carr, i urban,

158 WOOD SANDPIPER.

one at Whitemare Pool; in Kent, one near Woolwich, the end
of May, 1850. In Cornwall, seven were procured in one day,
in August, 1840, near the Land's End, one also there about
the 15th. of April, 1852; one was shot by T. Passingham,
Esq., at Swanpool, near Falmouth, August 28th., 1847. In
Sussex, one at Newhaven, the 9th. of September, 1851, by
J. B. Ellman, Esq.

In Ireland a pair were noticed for several successive seasons
at G-lenbower, near Youghal, in the county -of Cork. In
Scotland, the eggs are said to have been procured in
Elginshire.

It is described as a migratory species, making its appearance
early in April and May; and retiring in August and Sep-
tember. It has been seen to perch on the upper twigs of
a bush.

Mr. Hoy says, in a communication to Mr. Hewitson, 'If
you approach the spot where they have young, and especially
if a dog is with you, the old birds will fly round in the
most anxious manner, and will hover over the dog within a
few feet; then suddenly darting off, mount high in the air,
pouncing down again with great rapidity on the intruder.'
'While the hen bird is sitting, the male flies round in wide
circles, and at a considerable elevation.'

The name of this species is a misnomer, for, a case literally
of 'lucus a non lucendo,' it never frequents woods, unless,
indeed, the small copses of birch and alder trees, that skirt
large tracts of heath or marshy flats, or willows, and other
brushwood, can be so called. Its proper dwelling-places are
extensive wastes, interspersed with shallow pools, open grounds,
and swamps, and also the shores of large and small lakes
and ponds, where grass or reeds grow in patches. It is
however not unfrequently seen in company with other kinds
of kindred species. Its general appearance is very elegant.
It admits of being kept in confinement. It lies close if
suddenly approached by danger, but when compelled to be
away, rises high in the air, and removes to a distance. It is
a bird of solitary habits, a pair only living together at the
breeding-time.

In flight it is exceedingly rapid.

They feed on small worms, minute snails, the larvae of
gnats and flies, beetles, and other insects.

'During the time of migration, the peculiar gathering note,
'giff, giff,' may be heard often repeated, forming a concert or

WOOD SAXDPIPEB. 159

chorus of many voices, and serving to keep together thr*
assembled travellers, until fatigue compels them to alight for
rest in some convenient spot. The male bird has, during
the breeding season, another call-note, which sounds like
teatril, teatril.' '

The nest, which is extremely difficult to find, owing to
the nature of the ground where it is put, is generally placed
in a hollow, at but a little distance from the water, among
heath, or plants of the bog myrtle, rushes, or grass. It is
made of grass or other vegetable materials.

The eggs are three or four, pointed in shape, and of a
pale greenish white, spotted and speckled, particularly at the
larger end, with dark reddish brown. The hen bird incubates
them, and her partner watches by, and rises up, and hovers
about any intruder, as previously noticed.

Male; weight, two ounces and a quarter; length, not quite
nine inches; bill, slender and black, except the base of the
lower mandible, which is pale greenish brown: from the base
of the upper one a dusky patch proceeds to the eye — over it
is a white streak. Iris, dusky brown; eyelids, white. Head
on the crown, neck on the back, and nape, greenish dusky
brown, each feather margined with dull buff white, some in
a triangular, and others in a more elongated shape, giving
the former parts a cinereous hue. In winter the brown on
the head more prevails in the way of spots, and the other
markings are narrower and more grey. Chin, white; throat
and breast above, dull greyish white, streaked with greyish
brown waved lines; below, white, and marked on the sides
with a few transverse dusky bars; in summer black and more
extensive. Back above, dusky, with hardly perceptible tints
of green and purple, marked with small white and greyish
white spots on each side of the webs near the tip; in summer
the dark colour is blacker, and nearly hides the lighter;
below the back is white.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest, when
closed they reach to the end of the tail. The axillary plume
is white, with a few cross-bars of dusky; greater wing coverts,
greenish dusky black, margined on the edge of each feather,
and tipped with buff white; more inclining to white, some in
a triangular, others in a more lengthened manner; in summer
the former colour is darker black and more predominant;
lesser wing coverts, plain dusky black. Primaries, greenish
dusky black, the first one with a white shaft, and most of

160 WOOD SANDPIPER

the others tipped with white; secondaries, dusky greenish
black, slightly tipped with white; tertiaries, greenish brown
each feather edged with buff white, triangularly or in an
elongated manner; here, too, the former colour prevails darker
and more extensively in summer.

The tail, rather cuneiform, the outer feather on each side
larger than the two succeeding ones, and equal in length to
the fourth, from which they gradually increase in length to
the middle ones, which exceed the outer by a quarter of an
inch, is of a greenish black ground colour, with six or more
narrow cross-bars, a little oblique, of white; the outer feathers
have their inner webs pure white. Montagu says, 'The tail
consists of twelve feathers, the middlemost rather the longest,
these are barred with black and white alternately, a little
oblique; on the outer webs are eight black bars, on the inner
webs six; the next feather has six bars on the outer, and
four on the inner webs; the third has five, and three bars
in the same manner; the fourth feather has five and one;
the fifth and outer feathers are only spotted on the margin
of the outer web, with one spot on the inner web of one.'
Upper tail coverts, white, those next the tail spotted with
black; under tail coverts, white. Legs and toes, pale olive
green, with a faint tinge of blue, and darker green at the
joints; claws, dusky.

The female and male are alike.

In the young the bill is black at the tip, and the base
tinged with green. From the bill a small dusky bar extends
to the eye; over it is a broad white streak that passes over
the eye, and surrounds it; eyebrows, white, finely streaked
with pale brown. Head on the sides, white, with narrow
brown streaks; crown, dusky brown, with narrow yellowish
white edges to the feathers; neck on the back, and nape, the
same, but more streaked with white; the neck in front, white,
with brown marks and shaft streaks, larger and plainer lower
down. Chin and throat, white; breast, white, each feather
with a brown streak down the shaft, and very finely margined
with light brown; the sides marked with waved bars of brown
and yellowish white. Back above, dusky, with faint reflections
of green and purple, and bright rufous triangular-shaped spots
bordering the edges of the feathers; below, dusky margined
with white. Greater wing coverts, dusky with hardly per-
ceptible reflections of green and purple, and bright rufous
triangular- shaped spots on the margins of the feathers; the

WOOD SAMUMPKK. 1 • 1 1

lesser wing coverts are without cue spots. Primari

the first with the white shaft, and all narrow! with

white at the tips except the first; secondaries, <1 a
gined with yellowish white; tertiaries, dusky, with the si
tints of purple and green, and the bright rufous spots on

the margins. Tail, white, broadly barred with dm
outer feathers having their inner webs nearly pill
upper tail coverts, white, with small dusky b!
spots of the same on the tips of some of them. L
toes, pale yellow, tinged with greenish grey.

The adult birds moult in August, the young later,
again in April return to, or arrive at, the rammer plum

VOL. v.

162

COMMON SANDP1PEE.

8TTMMER SNIPE. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. SAND LARK.
SAND DAYBOOK.

Tringa hypoleucos, Pennant. Montagu.

Totanus hypoleucos, Fleming. Selby.

Trinya*— ? Hypoleucos, ffypo — Under. Leucos — White.

The species before us is frequent in Europe, throughout
Scandinavia, in Lapland and Norway and other parts, and
Kamtschatka, and also visits the Ferroe Islands, Greenland,
and Iceland: it is known likewise in France and Italy. In
Asia it is plentiful in Sumatra, Singapore, Java, Timor, and
Japan, India and Asia Minor; and specimens have also been
received from the northern and southern parts of Africa.

The Common Sandpiper is generally known throughout
this country — from Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Hamp-
shire, Kent, Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Oxfordshire, where
small parties occasionally pass the summer near Brighthampton,
Witney, Mr. Stone writes me word, to Norfolk, Durham,
and Northumberland, and from Wales to Scotland, being
plentiful on the inland lakes — Loch Awe and others, in
Caithnesshire, Sutherlandshire, and elsewhere.

In Yorkshire, localities for it are, among others, the
neighbourhood of Sheffield, Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Barnsley,
Huddersfield, and Burlington.

In Orkney it has been observed in several islands, as
Sanday and Hoy, and also on various parts of the mainland.
It appears, however, to be but an occasional visitant there.

In Ireland it is a regular visitor in the summer.

*

COMMON SANDPIPER.

The Summer Snipe visits us in April, about tl
and leaves us by about the end of September, or earlier — in
August — according to the state of the season. Tl
singly or in pairs, and travel by night. J I
fly about in a restless manner, uttering their whistling

It is a bird of lively and active habits, and it is pie
to watch it running nimbly along the water's
side of a still lake or pond, or the bank of the
the slow stream, the large or the small river, in the summer
time, or treading lightly over the beautiful leav
water-lily, which float so buoyant themselves on i'
surface. It is seldom seen on the shore of the sea,
situations mentioned are all alike congenial to
whether in a hilly or a flat country, an open or a w
district. It can both swim and dive well; even the young,
if need appear to be, take fearlessly to the water, a:
underneath the surface to a considerable distance,
been known thus to seek and find safety from the pursuit
of a Hawk. The wings are used in progression underneath.

It is almost constantly in motion, and has, like bo many
other birds, a habit of flirting its tail up and down, while
the head and neck are thrust forward in a nodding
or again retracted during the search for food. If distil
during the period of incubation, 'the female quits t li-
as quietly as possible, and usually flies to a distanc
at this time no outcry; as soon, however, as the
hatched, her manners completely alter, and the
agitation is expressed on the apprehension of
every stratagem is tried, such as feigning and

inability of flight, to divert the attention of the intf
from the unfledged brood:' both parents u
at this season, ignorant of the worldly maxim tl
was given to us to oonceal our thoughts.1
at times on roots and stumps by Small

flocks of a dozen or fourteen ma]
or up to twenty or thirty; bul
closely or determinedly together, each individual fo
own inclination, both when on the ground and m i
or alighting.

It flies with ease and celerity; if if a

moderate height; but if otherwise, i1 pro
and commonly settles on the op]
had left. 'Its flight,' says Selby,

164 COMMON SATTOPIPEB.

being performed by a rapid motion of the pinions, succeeded
by an interval of rest, the wings at the same time being
considerably bent, and forming an angle with the body; and
in this manner it skims with rapidity over the surface of
the water, not always flying in a straight line, but making
occasional sweeps, uttering at the same time its shrill and
well-known whistle.' When settling down, the wings are at
some seasons kept up stretched over the back, and in this
position it runs along the sand, uttering the while its
plaintive whistle. Sandpipers may at times be seen running
along the grass by the river side, stretching themselves out,
and ruffling their feathers in an odd sort of manner.

They feed on worms and insects, such as flies, gnats, and
water spiders, and on minute snails, but rarely. In search
of some part of their iood they thrust their bills into the
mud.

The note, a clear pipe, is, though pleasant to the ear, a
mere 'wheet, wheet, wheet,5 uttered when the bird is put up,
as well as when perched on some stone, branch, or stake,
near the water side. Meyer likens it to the syllables,
'heedeedee, heedeedee.' It is repeated a great number of
times — as many as forty or fifty — by the bird when on the
wing.

Nidification commences about the middle of April.

The nest is slight — a collection of a few leaves or a little
moss, dry grass or leaves, in a hollow in a bank, in a tuft
of grass, or tussock of rushes; upon a bed of gravel, or
even on a bare rock; the eggs being kept together by only
a very slight inequality in the surface. It is generally thus
sheltered or protected, on one side at least. It is usually
built near the water's edge, but sometimes m an adjoining
field, always above the highest water-mark. It is well hidden
in a tuft of grass or rushes, or among the lower branches
of willows and osiers, so as to be difficult to find. The
same pair, if undisturbed, will return for several successive
seasons to their accustomed building-place.

The eggs, four in number, are of a reddish white or cream
yellow tint, spotted and speckled with dark brown, and other
marks of a lighter hue. Some are of a clear very light blue
ground colour, with minute brown spots all over; others
with large blots of deep brown. They are, as the eggs of
other waders, admirably adapted, both by their form and
position in the nest, to occupy the smallest possible degree

COiT^IOX SANDPIPER. IG.j

of space, as rendered expedient by their large size in
portion to that of the bird. The young are hatched in
about fourteen days, and leave the nest almost mm *
They quickly learn to hide themselves in the near-
and in about a month are able to shift for themseh

The plumage in this species is of a silky texture. Male;
weight, about two ounces; length, seven inches and a half,
to sevea and three quarters; bill, yellowish brown, or d
greenish grey at the base, dark brown towards the tip.
slender, and dusky brown, paler towards the base; a h
streak runs to it from the base of the bill, and abov
reaching also over and behind the eye, is a light-coloured
one. Head on the sides and on the crown, Deck on the
back and nape, greenish brown, clouded with bluish grey and
dull yellowish, and delicately marked with a dusky
black stripe along the centre, and along the shaft of each
feather. Chin and throat, white; throat on the sides, and
breast on the upper part, pale greenish, with dusky
streaks; the lower white. Back, greenish brown, each feather
with a darker dusky greenish black stripe across
and along the shaft, and further varied with line transi
zigzag lines of dark brown, giving the bird an elegantly
mottled appearance.

The wings, which are very long, have the fin the

longest; their extent of expanse is from one foot two is
to one foot two inches and a half; greater wing
tipped with white. The lesser wing coverts h [miner

a black border near the tip of each feather, which
to be wanting in the winter plumage. Primari
black, each, except the first one or two, wi rhita

patch on the centre of the inner web.
four centre feathers dusky brown, with

greenish black stripe across the centre and g]
line of each; the four out .
being twelve in all, tipped with whil
most on each side with the
brown, barred with greenish Mac
barred; the middle feat!
gradually shortened. Upper tail
with the like dusky greenish bl
and across; under tail whit* L

bluish green or yellowish g
the joints; the latter are webbed to bl

166 COMMON SiJSDPIPER.

a brief membranous edging along their whole length. Claws,
dark brown.

The young are at first covered with down of a greyish
brown colour above, with black streaks upon the head, and
a black list down the back, the under parts being white.
In the course of three weeks they are able to fly. The
young of the year have the white streak over the eye more
distinct. The neck in front, white, with the dark streaks on
the sides only. The back with the feathers edged with
reddish buff, spotted with black. The greater and lesser wing
coverts, darker.

1G7

SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

Tringa macnlaria,
Totanus macularius,
" macularia,

Temminck

Tringa— ?

Macularia. Macula— A spot.

This bird appears frequently in the north of E
Sweden, and the Islands of the Baltic, and also in
In America, it is common from Labrador and (
Texas, Mexico, and the Islands of the West Indii

One was shot on the coast of Norfolk, between Eton
and Sherringham, about the 26th. of September. L889.

It is a migratory species, moving southward- in I
and northwards in the spring.

The Spotted Sandpiper exhibits the like m
young which so many other kinds do, and d >t in

the same manner — in endeavouring, by every d
away intruders. Audubon mentions the fact o( out
birds, which he had disturbed, having removed fcwo Bj fi
the nest, which contained four, and this Although M
with a view to their subsequent procure; i.
over the nest in such a manne
she could have bodily entered it. She

elsewhere of another species, have with her

bill.

The Spotted Sandpiper is to be found in summer in "
districts, by the edges of U M well I

of a meandring river, or the
'streamlet or rill,' which -vntlv follow*
along the bank of B shelving eop§8 0* tie- ..
flat meadow. It is rarely Been by the

The nest is placed in some well-1 A m B I

168 SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

and is composed of short pieces of dry straw, or other such
materials as furnished by the locality.

The eggs are of a pale reddish white colour, spotted and
speckled with grey and brown of a darker and lighter shade.
They are four in number. The young, as soon as hatched,
run about with wonderful speed.

Male; length, about six inches and three quarters or over;
upper bill, dusky; the under one dusky towards the tip, and
dull yellowish red about the base; a dusky streak goes from
it to and behind the eye. Iris, dusky; the eye-streak,
white; forehead, white. Head on the crown, neck on the
back, and nape, olivaceous brown, marked with dusky spots
of an elongated form on the feathers; neck on the sides,
chin, throat, and breast, white, with numerous distinct
round spots and transverse marks of dusky greenish brown
on the sides of the last-named; below, white. Back above,
olivaceous purple brown; in winter many of the feathers are
black, with greyish white margins, the rest grey, marbled
with pale brown, having the shafts alone black; below,
white.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; greater
wing coverts, grey, with darker centres to the feathers, and
tipped with white, some of the lesser wing coverts also grey,
with darker centres. Of the primaries the first is brownish
black, the shafts of it and the next, white; the rest with a
white spot on the middle of the inner web; secondaries, tipped
with white; tertiaries, grey, with black shafts, and barred
upon the outer part of the webs with black and pale ash
grey; in winter margined with white, and faintly barred with
a deeper shade of brown. The tail has, in summer, the two
middle feathers greyish white; in winter, white, marked with
zigzag lines and bars of pale brown; the outer feathers wholly
white, except a longitudinal streak of brown upon the outer
web. The outer feather on each side has the outer web
white, barred with greenish black; upper tail coverts, white,
in summer barred with brown. Legs and toes, greenish grey;
claws, dusky brown.

The male and female are nearly alike.

The young are at first covered with dull yellowish brown
down, with a streak of black behind the eye, and one down
the back. Subsequently indications of the spots appear, and
they shew themselves ostensibly in the winter.

169

GREENSHANK.

CINEEEOUS GODWIT.

Scolopax glottis, Pennant. Montagu.

tanescens, Pennant. Gmii.in I

Totanus glottis, Fleming. Selby.

Limosa grisea, Brisson.

" glottis, Stephens.

Scolopax— A Woodcock. Glottis. Glotta—k tongue— !:.

long tongue?

In Europe, the Greenshank visits Russia and Bcandii
generally, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Lapland, Gem
France, Holland, Switzerland, and Italy. I
in Siberia, Asia Minor, and Persia, India. Ja
Moluccas, and the Mauritius; and on the continent of A
in Egypt and Nubia.

In Cornwall, W. P. Cocks, Esq., in 'The Naturalist,1 volume
i, page 114, records one shot at Swanpool, n<
in the winter of 1815. In Yorkshire tw<
near Doncaster. In Norfolk it occurs in the spring in
moderate numbers, leaving about the
again found in the months of September and
Surrey one was shot at Hampton L idge: in I
it used to occur, but since the drai
become very rare. At Towyn, North W
September, 1851. One at Swan
by E. O. White, Esq.

In Ireland, they arc seen in small i
one was obtained near Louth, in 0 845

In Scotland, they assemble in Large ouml i
— in Uist, Harris/ and Lewis. iftej

170 greekshais-k:.

September and October, on their way southwards; one was
killed in Sanday, October 2nd., 1830. One in Haddingtonshire,
at Lennoxlove, 1824.

They are met with on the sea-shore, but also on the banks
of rivers, lakes, and ponds, both in flat and hilly countries.
With us, individuals have occasionally been met with inland.
One was shot near Ascot Heath; one near G-odalming, in
Surrey. Three or four were seen near Carlisle, about Brugh
and Rockliff, in August, 1832; and two of them, a young
male and female, were procured on the 25th.; one also on
the River Eden earlier in the same month. Others in
Oxfordshire, near Bampton, on the River Isis, and near
Brighthampton. A few stay to breed. One was shot by the
River Thames, near Walton, in Surrey, in the month of June.
In Scotland one was shot in May, and the young have been
seen on the banks of Loch Awe, in July.

They move northwards in April, and southwards in October
or November. Some remain in the wilder districts of Scotland
during the summer, and rear their brood; as for instance, in
Sutherlandshire, near Tongue and Scourie, Loch Naver and
Loch Laighall. Mr. Selby has met with the young on Loch
Awe, in July, and has known an adult bird killed in May.
Sir William Jardine has known others on the banks of the
Tweed, between Kelso and Coldstream, a reach of the river I
well remember for salmon-fishing exploits.

They are extremely shy and vigilant, and rise on the
slightest alarm, especially when they have young, wheeling
round, now near to the nest, and now sweeping farther off
with loud cries, and every now and then perhaps alighting
and still repeating them. They prefer open districts, such
affording opportunities of keeping a good look-out; and choose
sluggish streams and still waters to more rapid ones. In
searching for food they move leisurely in a horizontal position,
and wade deep. They can swim and dive well, and advance
under the water with movements of their wings. In confine-
ment they soon become tame. They are sociable in their
habits, both among themselves and with other kinds.

These birds occasionally perch on trees. They fly with the
wings not widely stretched, the head advanced in front, and
the legs behind. They alight in a slanting direction, and
often so swiftly that they have to break the fall, and skim
a short distance with the full expanse of the pinions.

Their 'Commissariat department' is supplied with small fish,

&BEE98HAHK. 171

such as the loach and the smelt, insects, worms, du
and several crustaceous and molluscous animals.

The note is uttered both on the wing and < hed

on the ground or a twig. It sounds like the
tea-ah!' repeated two or three times in quick i
voices of several together are rather m

The nest is a small hollow, with a few
or grass placed within it.

The eggs, of a pear shape, as in the kin-li ., are

four in number, of a very pale yellowish
sprinkled all over with irregular spots of dark
blots of light purple grey, with fewest of eith
smaller end.

Male; weight, about six ounces; length, about one foot or
over, to one foot two; bill, about two inches lonj
and slightly curved upwards. It is nearly black a:
and bluish green over the base; a dusky streak ext
its base to the eye, and spreads over the head on the
in small spots, commingling with those of a : i on

the upper part of the breast and the sides; iri dark

brown. Head on the crown, neck on the sides and
the nape, dusky, with paler edges to the feathers; in wi
the ground colour is pale bluish grey, the latter-named with
the shafts and centres of the feathers dusky; chin, w
Throat and neck in front, white, sUgh
breast, white, on the sides streaked with gitij; ba
greyish brown, the feathers edged, more finely in wi:
buff white; in the early summer plan
assumes a greenish or bluish black fa

The wings have the first quill
white bands are formed across them by the whi
greater coverts. They expand to the width of
an inch; greater wing coverts,
edged triangularly, and in winter finely |
white, the former become toward*
spots; lesser wing C
secondaries, uniform dusk:
spotted with white; in winter duskj
Tertiaries, also dost
green, edged triangularly
buff white. In the breeding p]
spotted. Tail, white, the mi
the outer one striped longitndballj i>P«

172 geeenshakk:.

tail coverts, white, with a dusky spot or bar on each feather
near the tip: the shafts are dusky; under tail coverts, white.
Legs, very long and slender, and as the toes, bluish olive
green; claws, dusky black.

Hennie writes, 'A very elegant variety, in the possession of
Mr. Bullock, had the upper parts marked as usual, but darker,
and the spots larger on the top of the head, back, and
scapulars; the newly moulted feathers on the two last, known
as such by their comparative brightness, were black, with
the margins deeply and angularly scalloped with white; the
markings strong, particularly on the tertials; tail coverts,
>vhite; the rump having a mixture of dusky black and grey
in bars; the tail barred with zigzag lines; throat, white; fore
part of the neck and breast, streaked and spotted with black,
the spots increasing in size on the breast; middle of the belly,
white, but feathers on the side barred with black; some of
the under tail coverts plain white, others barred with black;
the legs appeared to have been yellowish or pale green; size
and length of the bill and legs as usual. It was not noticed
at what season this bird was shot, but it was most probably
in the spring, a little before its usual time of departure, and
it had just begun to throw out its summer plumage on th<>
back, scapulars, and wing coverts, where the spots were larger,
and much better defined than oa the old intermediate
tfeathers.*

173

AVOCET.

SCOOPEE. COMMON AVOCET. SCOOPING ATOCXT,
CEOOKED-BILL. COBBLER B-AWI DU<

Recurvirostra avocetta, Fleming. BXLBT.

" avosetta, Pen

Recurvirostra . Recurvus— Crooked — bent.
Rostrum— The beak of a bird. to— ?

This bird, unique, as far at least as our coontr
cerned, in the singularity of its appearance, is in K
plentiful in the north of Holland and on the shoi l
Baltic, and also occurs in Sweden, Russia, Holstein, 1 1 ur ..
Switzerland, Spain, France, and Italy. In Africa il
found from Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope; and b
— in Siberia, Asia Minor, and India; th<
the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and in Tartarj.

In Yorkshire, two were formerly obtaii
Common, near Selby; several have b*

Point, and on other parts of the coast, and th : the

Humber.

Sir Thomas Browne has recorded thai
in his time in Norfolk; and within
as many as twenty are said to have b
month of one year, in Leadenhall w
frequent the marshes at Winterton; a pair
Yarmouth, the 22nd. of April, L852j
of June, 1S51. It used to b

Breydon, but has of la I

been known t ^

spring of 1S:*7. They uviv formerh
Durham coast. A specimen irai

174 AYOCET.

Droxby Lake, Lincolnshire, as the Be v. E. P. Alington has
informed me, by the late Theophilus Harneis, Esq., of Thor
ganby Hall. In Cornwall, two have been killed at Swanpool,
near Falmouth, one of them in November, 1845; others
formerly have been noticed in Gloucestershire and Shropshire.

In Sussex, Markwiek says that it was not uncommon in
his time, 1793, on the coast in summer; and he met with
a pair whick had young, in a marsh near Eye. It also
visited the shore at Bexhill, A. T. Dodd, Esq., of Chichester,
saw a flock of five at Pagham Harbour, near there, and
procured three of them. In Surrey, one at Godalming is
recorded. In Kent, Eomney Marsh used to be a locality
for it there; and the muddy flats at the mouth of the Thames,
in that county, and 'over the water' in Essex. In the
former-named a nest of young ones was found in 1842, by
Mr. Plomley, and two young ones procured the following
year; one was shot at Sandwich, the 22nd. of April, 1849.
Donovan mentions that they were formerly common in the
Cambridgeshire Fens. In Devonshire, one was obtained near
Plymouth, in November, 1854, as John Gatcombe, Esq. has
been kind enough to send me word.

In Ireland, as stated by the late "William Thompson, Esq.,
of Belfast, it is a very rare visitor.

In Scotland, it is in like manner an occasional straggler.
In Orkney, it is stated by Edmonston to have occurred.

The mouth of the Severn, in Gloucestershire, is given as
another of its 'quondam' localities; also Shropshire, Fossdike,
in Lincolnshire, and the Dorsetshire coast.

It is of migratory habits, arriving in this country, that is,
when it does arrive — for, though formerly a regular and fre-
quent visitor, it is not so now — in the month of April; and
leaving again in September. Its migration is performed
during the night.

It prefers muddy shores to those of a sandy or rocky kind;
also salt marshes, to which it resorts while the tide covers
its other feeding-grounds, but leaves again for the latter when
it has ebbed sufficiently. The Avocet walks in an easy and
graceful manner, and is able also to run very fast; 'which,'
says Meyer, 'it does invariably close to the water's edge when
pursued, standing every now and then still, raising its head
sharply, and lowering it again, and at last, if the pursuit is
kept up, it flies up high in the air, and leaves the neigh-
bourhood. Swimming may also be ranked among its capacities,

AYOCET. 1 7.">

during which exercise it nods with its head at every stroke;
but it seems to like to float rather than to swim.'

'The flight of the present species is very different from
that of most others of its family, owing in part to its
bending its wings into perfect arches during
the wings are either beaten in quick succession, or i
moderately, according to the pleasure of the bird. I)
the breeding-season they fly great distances, low over
surface of the water, but pursue their migrat
a great elevation. The form of the Avocet, when on
wing, is particularly strange, in consequence of the head I
drawn close to the body, with the beak I
downwards, and the legs projected out very far behind,
alighting, it opens its wings, for a moment, high above the
back, and then closes them very carefully.'

When the female is frightened off the nest, si
and round with drooped legs and extended neck, counterfei
every sign of disablement, and crying out with alan
desire to distract attention. They are quick and
their movements. Avocets are sociable birds am< _
but shy in their general character. They tra. v in

small numbers, but sometimes unite in large flocks.
build in companies. Montagu writes, 'The si: .
the bill led BufTon, according to his absurd
tendency, to suppose it to be 'one of those errors
of nature, which, if carried a little further, wool I
itself; for if the curvature of the bill
the bird could not procure any sort of food, and *
destined for the support of life, would infallibl
destruction.' The bill of the Avooet may the]
regarded as the extreme model which nal
at least preserve. The modern doctrine
be a legitimate descendant of this n

They feed on aquatic insects, eml
and worms, and in search of fch<
case requires, but usually keep near the •
in which they obtain their prey appears bo :
with the concave part of the bill, I
zigzag manner in the sand, and
deal of gravel is swallowed with the food

The note or pipe is likened to
or 'twit, twit.'

The nest is said to be made in

176 ATOCET.

in a marsh, or on a bank, just above high-water mark,
among the short grass, or other marine vegetation. It is
lined with a little of those materials. The eggs are described
as being usually two, but sometimes three or four in
number, brown or greenish white, spotted and speckled with
black. The young are hatched in eighteen days, and leave
the nest almost immediately. If chased, they hide themselves,
with much success, among the scanty cover.

Male; weight, from twelve to fourteen ounces; the usual
weight is thirteen; length, nearly one foot six inches. The
bill of this elegant bird, at once its 'decus et tutamen,' is
adapted by the all-wise Providence of GrODv for the prosecution
of the individual instinct with which He has endowed it; it
is about three inches and a half in length, and black in
colour, and curved upwards, and somewhat flexible; iris, deep
reddish brown; over it there are sometimes a few white
feathers in a line, and sometimes there is a little white on
the forehead. Head on the crown, neck on the back, and
nape, black; chin, throat, and breast, white; back on the
upper part, black; on the lower, white.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest, when
closed they reach rather beyond the end of the tail, and
when extended measure two feet and a half across; lesser
wing coverts, black; primaries, black. Legs, long, stout, and
delicate pale blue, or blue grey; the toes are of the same
colour; they are semipalmated, that is, the three front ones;
the hind one is only rudimentary. The whole plumage is
smooth and compact.

The female is about one foot five inches in length. In
other respects she is like the male.

In the young of the year, the bill is dusky; iris, dusky;
the black parts of the plumage are tinged with brown, and
during the second year, till the autumnal moult, some of
the feathers are still reddish brown at the end.

The quantity and distribution of the black colour in the
Avocet varies in different specimens.

177

STILT.

BLACK-RINGED STILT. STILT PLOY1
LONG-LEGS. LONG-LEGGED PLOVER. \NKS.

BLACK-TVINGED LONG-SHANK

Himantopus melanopteruSj

" Plinyd, ing.

" atropterus, Mfi

" _ ruflpes, Beci!-

Ciaradr ins himantopus. Pen.nam. M ntagu.

Himantopus. Himantopodes— 'Birds so called from the tenderness of their
legs.' Melanopterus. Melas — Black. Pttrom— A u

This curious bird belongs to Italy, Fran^ I
Russia, Hungary, Greece, and Sardinia, in I 1

to Egypt in the north, occurring also BOuth? d in

Asia, to India, Japan, Java, Persia, and fch
the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea; thai
of which is now for ever to be famous, a- where 'Di
palpiti, e tante pene,' — 'Aly.

Specimens have been obtained in Devon*
of Anglesea; in Dorsetshire, near P.
near Havant. White, of Sel
out of a flock of seve i on Frensham I
and Woolmer Pi
near Oxford. In Cornwall.

Falmouth. In Norfolk, l» • R

Lubbock near Hickling Broad, on bl
and was shot the following
Salmon, at Stoke Perry, in
one was killed in the Bame county, in July, LS

Before the complete drainag

VOL V.

178 STILT.

P. Alington, a few were now and then met with in Lincoln-
shire; one was sent up from there to the London market in
July, 1844. The more common times, however, for the
appearance of the species in this country are the spring and
winter. In Cambridgeshire, they were formerly plentiful in
the fens.

In Scotland, two specimens were recorded by Sir Robert
Sibbald, as having occurred: and two others are mentioned
by Mr. Don, as having been met with, one on the mountains
of Clova, and the other on Ben Lawers, in Perthshire. In
Orkney two specimens were hilled at Lopness, in the year
1814. "

In Ireland, one was seen by Mr. Robert Ball, near Youghall,
in the winter of 1823.

It is a migratory species, and is described as working its
way north in May, and southward as early as August; its
movements being made during the night. On these occasions
it sometimes flies at a high elevation.

The Stilt frequents the margins of lakes and ponds, and
the borders of extensive watery wastes, and attaches itself to
the same haunts, returning the next day if disturbed from
any such. It is not particularly shy, but nevertheless is not
easily approached.

Its long legs are adapted not only for rapid progression,
but also for wading to a considerable depth. They are carried,
in flight, straight out behind; and at the same time the
'wings are much bent down, the neck not much extended,
with the beak pointing downwards. Its flight is not quick,
but steady and regular.'

It feeds on worms, water insects, beetles and other winged
species, and has been seen to catch the latter in a very
dexterous manner as it stands in the water. It also captures
the small fry of fish, which it obtains by dipping the head
and neck wholly under the water.

A round hollow on the top of some tuft or mound serves
as a receptacle for the nest.

The eggs, as represented by Professor Thieneman, are of a
pale blue colour, blotted and streaked with greyish green, or
olive green and dark brown.

Male; weight, about four ounces and a half; length, about
one foot one inch, or a little over — to one foot two inches;
bill, black — it is two inches and a half long, and slender.
Iris, red; there are a few dusky grey or light-coloured streak?

STILT. } /'9

behind it and on the back of the head: with this exception,
the head on the crown, neck, and nape, chin, throat,
breast, are white, the last-named with a faint pink tinge on
the lower part; back, brownish black, tinged with green.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; greater
and lesser wing coverts, primaries, and secondaries, rich
black, tinged with green; tertiaries, dark brownish black, with
green reflections. The tail is greyish brown, and slightly
forked. The legs, which are of great length, and slight, and
the toes, pink red; the latter have a connecting membrane
between the outer and middle ones.

The female has more dark streaks behind the head, and
the black of the plumage is less pure, and not tinged with
green.

The young have more of the dark streaks on the head; the
back, brown, edged with white. Legs, orange.

180

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT.

COMMON GODWIT. GODWYN. TARWHELP. TAEWHTP.

LESSER GODWIT. JADREKA SNIPE.

RED GODWIT. HTJDSONIAN GODWIT. SHRIEKER.

Limosa melanura, Leisler. Temminck.

" JEgocephala, Fleming.

" rufa major, Brisson.

Fedoa melanura, Stephens

Scolopax belgica, Gmelin.

*' jfigocephala, Linnaeus.

" Hudsonica, Latham ?

* iimosa, Pennant.

" Lapponica, Bewick.

jffiaocephalus Bellonii, Ray.

Limosa. Limus— Mud. Melanura. Melas — Black. Oura — A tail.

This species extends pretty generally, though unequally,
over Europe — so far north as Iceland, Lapland, and Green-
land, and south again to Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and
Holland; Asia, to which continent Temminck assigns Japan
and the Sunda Isles as localities for it, as well as the vicinity
of Mount Caucasus and Persia; and Africa, about Tangiers,
Tunis, and other parts of the north.

It most affects the countries that are nearest to the sea,
and attaches itself to moist and swampy places, low meadows,
where a rank vegetation prevails, and other such.

In England it is generally distributed, though by no means
abundant. It breeds occasionally, though sparingly, in the
Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens, near Buckenham and Oby;
so it is also said to have done on the edge of Hatfield
Chase, near Thorne, Yorkshire. It is common about Breydon,
near Yarmouth, in Norfolk; it belongs also to the Northum-
brian, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire coasts. In Suffolk, two in

4

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 181

full summer plumage were shot in a fen near Wisbeach
May 4th., 1850.

In Cornwall, one was shot at Swanpool, near Falmoutn.
by Mr. May, December 12th., 1846. In Surrey, it has
occurred near Grodalming; in Devonshire it has been obtained.
In Bedfordshire, at Cardington; also in Derbyshire, one on
Sinfin Moor.

In Orkney it is a rather rare winter bird, during whict,
season it appears in small flocks.

In Ireland it is an occasional visitant, and has been
obtained near Dublin, in October.

Its haunts in winter are the oozy banks of the larger
estuaries, and the mouths of rivers.

They arrive in March in the places where they intend to
rear their young. They move by night, and then unite in
companies of perhaps forty or fifty individuals, but at other
times are unsociable among themselves, as well as shy,
excepting when interested for their brood, whom they endeavour
to obtain security for by flying about any intruder. The
young birds shew great dexterity in hiding themselves.

They are highly esteemed for the table, and are both shot
and taken in snares.

'In flight it opens its pointed wings at full length, and
beats the air in regular succession; but when hurried, its
wings are only half opened, and the strokes become very
quick, whereby its speed is very much increased. Its walk
is not unlike that of the Stork, and when at rest, it invariably
stands on one leg.' When asleep, it generally 'puts its head
under its wing.'

The G-odwit feeds on insects and their larvae, and vrorma,
obtained by boring in the soft sand and mud with
bill, not only when the surface is uncovered, but also under
the water, immersing the head for the purpose, i' Hows
its vocation early in the morning and late in the evening,
and, of course, longer during moonlight nig

The note has been compared to the syllable.- 'grutto
grutto, grutto.'

About the beginning of April they arrive at tbe:
places, and begin to lay early in May, in the rough
of swamps, and low meadows near water, lie I
composed of dry grass, and other wild plant-, and hidden
among any coarse herbage.

The eggs are four in number, of a deep green or light

182 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT.

olive brown colour, faintly blotted with spots of a darkei
shade.

As soon as the young are able to nutter about, the old
ones leave them to themselves.

Male; weight, about twelve ounces; length, one foot four
inches, to one foot four and a half; bill, fine orange at the
base, in winter pale yellowish brown, the tip black — it is bent
a little upwards, and is three inches and a quarter long;
from it to the eye is a dark streak, the effect of some small
black spots on feathers of a reddish brown. Iris, dusky;
over it is a white patch; forehead, pale reddish white; head
on the sides, pale reddish brown; on the crown, reddish
brown streaked with black; neck, pale reddish brown. Chin,
reddish white; throat and breast above, pale reddish brown,
in winter paler, transversely barred with brownish black;
below white, barred at distant intervals with pale reddish
brown and blackish brown. Back, almost black, each feather
margined and barred with orange reddish brown tinted with
purple; in winter it is pale brown, the feathers darker along
the centres.

The wings have the first quill feather the longest; greater
and lesser wing coverts, deep brown, the edges paler, deeply
margined with white, shewing at the tips, forming a bar
crossing the wing; primaries, blackish brown on the outer
webs and tips, shading nearly to white on the inner, the
shafts strong, broad, and yellowish white, with some white
also at the base of all except the second, forming a bar across
the wing; tertiaries, long, and clear brown, darker along the
centres, and sometimes more or less variegated with orange
red, the edges being lighter-coloured. The tail, which is
slightly forked, is black, the bases of the feathers for one
third of their length white, increasing gradually on each from
the centre ones to the outside, where the black scarcely
covers more than half an inch of the end; upper tail coverts,
white; under tail coverts, white. The legs, which are bare
of feathers for a considerable space above the knee, are, as
the toes, blackish grey; claws, black.

The young, before the first moult, have the streak over
the eye white; crown of the head, blackish brown, each feather
margined with pale reddish brown; neck, greyish ash-colour,
tinged with reddish brown; chin, white; breast above, greyish
ash-colour, tinged with reddish brown; below it is white,
clouded with greyish ash-colour; back, brownish black, each

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. L88

feather being margined with reddish brown.
lesser wing coverts, greyish ash-colour, m
with reddish white; primaries, white at the b
is white at the base; upper and under tail coverts, whi
The plate is after a design by the Rev. II. P. .

184

BAR-TATLED GODWIT.

COMMON GODWIT. BED GODWIT. METES S GODWIT.
GODWYN. GBEY GODWIT. EED-BBEASTED SNIPE.

Limosa rufa,

Brisson.

" gr'isea major

Brisson.

Fedoa rufa,

Stephens.

" Meyeri,

Stephens.

" pectoralis,

Stephens.

Scolopax leucophcea,

Latham.

" noveborare.nsis

Montagu.

Limus — Mud.

Ttufa-

-Ked.

This handsome bird is in Europe found, though rarety, in
Italy, also in France, Spain, and Switzerland, while migrating,
and a few breed in Holland and Germany. Mr. Yarrell says,
'It visits Finland, and the countries to the eastward, but is
very rarely seen on the islands, or on the western shores of
the Baltic.' Meyer writes, 'We are credibly informed by an
eye-witness, that the numbers of this species that visit the
western coast of Denmark, during the month of May, on
their passage to the north, are so great that it is impossible
to give a numerical description of them; the islands between
the mouth of the Elbe and the western coast of Jutland
are perfectly covered with them, and at low water the shores
are covered, in parts, to such an extent that the eye cannot
compass their lines. On the eastern shores of Denmark it is
remarkable how few are met with, comparatively speaking.'
Linnaeus mentions Lapland, and Thieneman Norway, as other
countries for it.

In Asia it is found about the Caspian Sea, and in India,
and the Indian Islands, Java, and Timor.

In England, it occurs on the Durham and Northumbrian

[ »1^

i

Jfr

BAR-TATLED GO I, WIT. 1 So

coasts, and small flocks are seen in Cornwall, Devon*]
and Kent, in Romney Marsh, and on I
Suffolk and Norfolk. In Derbys

In Scotland it is known on the ba
by the Wampoole, and the Merse at Skinburness.
also been obtained near Perth.

In Orkney, it is not a very rare irinter

In Ireland, Mr. Watters says that it : ion as a

winter visitant. He gives Wick low as a locality.

In Yorkshire, it has been obtained near York
and at Haw Park, near Walton. O:
Hall, near Otley, in May, 1S39. It is not uncommon o
sands in the winter.

The Eev. K. P. Alington has shot this bird on the Lin-
colnshire side of the Humber. In Cambridirohir.*
to have been met with. In Norfolk it occurs about
near Yarmouth, and also along the coast in coi
numbers.

They move northwards in April, to rear
returning again in the autumn.

They are valued for their edible qualities. Tl
found in small societies, and fire |uent the nv;
inlets of the sea, the mouths of
benefit of man,' and not for hifl
the infinity of the creature*
ponds, ditches, and lakes, and swampy
They often mingle with i I

high water, the Bar-tail
meadows and fens, where they
out from time to time wh<
as soon as they beoom
they flv up in a body, and
waters togeth

Their flig

touri

part mo*

being carried in a

They feed on
and
unless on

The n<
resembles the Meal iat

186 BAB-TAILED GODWIT.

The egg is described as of a pale yellowish brown colour,
speckled, blotted, and spotted with other darker shades of
brown.

Male; weight, about twelve ounces; length, not quite one
foot four inches; bill, pale yellowish red, or reddish brown
at the base, succeeded by brown, and the rest blackish brown;
it is curved upwards, and is not unfrequently as much as
seven inches in length; the space between the bill and the
eye is spotted with black. Iris, dusky brown; over it is a
reddish white streak; the lower eyelid is white. Forehead,
head on the crown, neck on the back, and nape, pale reddish
orange brown streaked with blackish brown; in winter,
greyish white streaked with pale brown. Chin, throat, and
breast, reddish brown, the latter on the lower part with the
feathers finely margined with white, the sides streaked with
dark brown; in winter the chin and throat are greyish
white, tinged with dull yellow, as also is the lower part of
the breast. Back on the upper part, blackish brown with
a tinge of purple, with oval-shaped spots of pale reddish
orange, with which the feathers are also margined; on the
lower part it is white with a few small dark feathers; in
winter the upper half is fine grey, margined with a paler
shade, the shafts and parts immediately adjoining greyish
black.

The wings have the axillary feathers white, cross-barred in
summer; greater and lesser wing coverts have the feathers
with dark brown centres, and edged with greyish white, in
winter white with the centres brown; the primaries have the
outer webs almost black, the inner ones dusky brown
mottled with white on the outer edges, the shafts white.
The tail is marked with alternate irregular bars of deep dusky
brown and reddish white, in winter with dusky brown and
greyish white; upper tail coverts, white, the centres of the
feathers dark brown, some few of them margined with
orange brown; sometimes the tail coverts are entirely rufous
in summer — in the former state they are very conspicuous
in flight; under tail coverts, partially streaked with dark
brown. Legs and toes, blackish grey, or dark greyish green;
they are bare of feathers a long way above the knee. Claws,
nearly black.

The female is larger than the male, her length reaching to
one foot five inches, or five and a half.

The young, before the first change, have the bill frequently

BAU«TAILED GODWIT. 1-7

not more than two inches and a half in 1 base

pale yellowish red; the streak over t!

the sides, white, with small pale streaks of ' the

crown, streaked with dark brown; tin-
grey, tinged with brown, and faint}}- tinged v.
shade of brown, below white, tinged wil
back above, brown, the feathers deeply marg
with pale oehreous yellow, on the tower part wiir
few spots of brown. Tail, barred with
upper tail coverts, white, with a few spots of brown.

188

HUFF.

REEVE, (FEMALE.) FIGHTING BUTE. SHORE SANDPIPER.

EQUESTRIAN SANDPIPER.

YELLOW-LEGGED SANDPIPER. GREENWICH SANDPIPER.

Machetes pugnax, Gould. Selby.

Tringa pugnax, Pennant. Montagu.

" eguestris, Latham.

" littorea, Linnaeus. Latham, -

Totanus cinereu9% Brisson.

Machetes — A Warrior. Pugnax — Pugnacious.

The Buff is one of the most curious birds, if not the most
?urious, of any that we have in this country.

In Europe, its range extends to Iceland, Russia, Sweden,
Lapland, Denmark, and Norway, from Holland, France,
Switzerland, and Italy, in which latter countries however it
is only a passing traveller. In Malta too, they thus occur.
In Asia, it advances to Siberia, from Persia, and the Caucasian
Range. In Africa, it is known at the Cape.

This species was formerly common on some low ground
between Louth and the Lincolnshire coast, but the Rev. R.
P. Alington has not heard of any for several years. The
same may be said of Yorkshire, especially the East-Riding;
and likewise of Norfolk, in which county it still continues to
breed, but in greatly diminished numbers. In the county of
Northumberland, a small flock frequented Prestwick Carr, near
Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Mr. Heysham observed young birds in
the neighbourhood of Carlisle, in the autumn of 1830 and 1832.
They used to be met with on Hatfield Moor, near Thorne, and
Skip with Common, near Selby. Before the drainage of the
Carrs they were common. One was shot near York, and Mr.

RUFF.

Thomas Allis writes that he has known of others. In
Somersetshire they formerly occurred in the fens near I):
water. In Cambridgeshire, they used to frequent, though much
more plentifully some years than others, the [file oi Ely, and
occasionally the Bottisham and Swaffham Fens. In S .
a considerable flight of these birds, apparently all
young ones, was found near Godalming, on the 20f:
August, 1836.

They occasionally visit Ireland. Two males and two femalea
were procured at Kildare.

In Scotland, stragglers have not unfrequently been met v.
Sir William Jardine has obtained specimens on the ll
the Forth, from Holy Island, northwards, and also on
Pentland Hills, and the banks of the Solway. 1 I
have been observed. There they have generally made their
appearance about September. They were very al ondai
Sanday, in the month of September, in 1830, L8o5, and L887.

The fens have heretofore afforded their favourite locality, but
they have also been met with upon the moors, and on m
and in salt marshes, and still more frequently along the coast,
on their passage to and fro.

They arrive, or used to arrive, in April, and
September, many thus staying the summer and
young, Some indeed have done so recently, at Cawlish V-
near Spalding, in Lincolnshire, in which county, lities

used to be the fens near Boston and Spilsby, and I
bourhood of Crowland. A few have been found occasionally
in the winter; one near Slapton, in Devonshire, on
of December, 1808.

The young are fully fledged by the end
assemble in August or September, to depart in with

the old females, the males leavin
sooner.

These birds are excellent eating, and an
confinement for the purpose, Q
taken in nets in the fens, for I
September; but there are no* bu
and other causes. A fen-man told P< I
six dozen in one morning; and I
same day to LeadenhaU market, in
catching of them \. dar buain

to a few families. One family, I
the trade a hundred wars in the •

190 RTJEF.

price latterly was two guineas a dozen; and Bewick records
that in a bill brought in for a dinner at the Greorge Inn,
ttoney Street, York, August 18th., 1794, where four Buffs made
one of the dishes at the table, they were separately charged
sixteen shillings. I will take the opportunity of recommending
the house as a good old-fashioned comfortable inn, well con-
ducted by the landlord, Mr. Winn, in whose family, as he
happened to tell me yesterday, it has been for seventy years.

The Huff is very pugnacious in its habits, that is, the male,
in the breeding season; the female being 'causa teterrima belli,'
so long since the times of Paris, of Priam, and of Troy, as
well as so long before. In these challenges they mount on
some little knoll, which often becomes quite trodden down by
their feet — a tilting ground for the display of 'Love and
Courage.' At other seasons of the year they live peaceably
together. Even in confinement however they exhibit a most
combative disposition, and when fed would starve if not
separately supplied with food, quarrelling over anything like
a common table: with other species, nevertheless, they seem
to keep up amicable relations in confinement.

Selby says, that 'their actions in fighting are very similar
to those of a game cock; the head is lowered, and the beak
held in an horizontal direction, the ruff, and indeed every
feather more or less distended, the former sweeping the ground
as a shield, and the tail partly spread, upon the whole, assuming
a most ferocious aspect.' He adds, that in these attitudes,
the combatants stand opposed to each other, attempting to
lay hold with their bills, and if this is effected by a leap, the
wings are then brought into offensive action. As might be
expected from the nature of the weapons, their contests are
not often attended by fatal consequences. This, however, does
sometimes occur, as Montagu mentions an instance in which
the bird died from an injury in the throat, got in one of its
feuds when in confinement.

They are not particularly shy in their habits. Small flocks
of the young birds keep together in the autumn.

Ruffs are polygamous, and hence, as in other similar cases,
their quarrelsome habits. When the eggs are laid the hen
birds become very bold in their care, but the Buffs continue
as shy as before.

They feed on worms and aquatic insects.

The Beeve begins to lay the first or second week in May,
and the young are hatched the beginning of June. The nest

EUFF. ]()!_

made of coarse grass, is placed on some hillock an
same, or sedge, or rushes.

The eggs are subject to considerable vari
a beautiful green ground colour, others olive brown,
with darker brown. They are four in nun

The Kuff, that is, the male bird, for the female, * '
is not, like him, 'varium et mutabil e

greater varieties of plumage than any other >ird.

Two specimens are rarely to be found alike — 'nil fait unq
sic impar sibi.' Buffo n says that Klein coin,
hundred together, and found only two thai lilar.

Weight, about six ounces — to seven and upv.
one foot and half an inch. The bill is very ;
at the tip, but more flexible at the base; its col
from brown or yellowish brown to black;
behind it is a tuft of long erectable feathers,
crown, glossy purple black, with chesnut bars; on
is a tuft of elongated feathers, and the head is
at the same time that the neck in front and on tl
furnished in the way of a ruff or frill, with a
produced feathers, finely glossed, which reach their full l<
the middle or end of May: these are lost
season of incubation, beginning to fall even is
vary in an endless manner, no two bei
and some differing most widely. The
different appearance with and without the ruff
idem.' Its appropriate colour is shining pi
with chesnut, but white, yellow, and i
prevail. The breast above, next to the raff,
feathers tipped with black; on the lower
back, pale chesnut, the feathers ipeokled and tii
black.

Greater wing coverts, nearly uniform - u; 1<'>mt

wing coverts, pale chesnut brow-
black; primaries, brownish black, the dial
the tertiaries are pale chesnut, tipped and
black. Tail, greyish brown, the four middle I
with chesnut and black; up]
coverts, white. Legs and toea, pale j
black.

The female is about one third less than
ten inches and a half; bill, dark brown al
at the base; iris, dusky brown. 1!

192 RTTFF.

grey brown, the centre of each of the small feathers darker
than the edges, giving a mottled appearance. The feathers
of the neck in front are black in the centre, with broad
greyish white margins. Chin, greyish white. The breast
above and on the sides, has black centres to the feathers,
the edges being broadly marked with greyish white; on the
lower part it is white; back, nearly black, with broad grev
brown margins to the feathers. The wings have the first
quill feather the longest; some of the greater wing coverts
are barred across with pale reddish brown; the others and
the lesser wing coverts, nearly black, with wide edgings to
the feathers of greyish brown; primaries, dull black, their
shafts white; secondaries, dusky black, edged with pale brownish
white. Of the tertiaries some are barred transversely with
pale reddish brown, the others nearly black, with wide grey
brown margins. Tail, grey brown, barred across with pale
reddish brown and black; upper tail coverts, white; under tail
coverts, white. Legs and toes, pale yellowish brown; claws,
black.

The young, when covered with down, are spotted. In their
firs: year's plumage they resemble the female, 'but have a
tint of reddish grey abont the breast, and a general dusky
colouring over the upper parts, where the feathers are edged
with pale rust-colour; the under parts are white; the beak
is black, and the legs and feet oil green.' The ruff is acquired
in the second season.

The plate is taken from a drawing by the Rev. R. P.
Alington, Rector of Swinhope, Lincolnshire.

Ol

3»3

r^ »x?

3 3

mmmm..

^m

:SOC3Q

\

) r*

5?