File:Image from page 310 of "Coloured illustrations of British birds, and their eggs" (1842) (14775412283).jpg

Identifier: colouredillustra41847meye Title: Coloured illustrations of British birds, and their eggs Year: 1842 (1840s) Authors: Meyer, H. L. (Henry Leonard), d. 1864 Meyer, H. L. (Henry Leonard), d. 1864. Illustrations of British birds Rutter, Daniel, former owner. DSI Rolle, Mark, former owner. DSI S. & J. Bentley, Wilson & Fley, printer S. & J. Bentley and Henry Fley, printer Subjects: Birds Birds Birds Taxidermists Birds Publisher: London : G.W. Nickisson Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image: thisvisitant, while it repeats its own name (curlew, curlew /) in atone approaching very near to a whistle. The distribution ofthis bird is very general over Europe and Asia, particularlyalong the sea-coasts : it is also found on the northern coast ofAfrica ; and, according to most ornithologists, it is met with inthe East Indies. Temminck informs us that it is captured inJapan and the Indian Archipelago. Many travellers haveseen the curlew in summer in very high northern latitudes,such as Siberia, Norway, and Lapland. The Curlew is migratory, inasmuch as it travels northwardto breed in the spring, and returns southward in autumn topass the winter in more temperate climes ; but some individualsremain the whole year with us, where the locality suits them.During its migration the Curlew journeys in small flocks offrom five to ten over the midland counties, but along thecoast in larger numbers, according to circumstances ; flockafter flock uniting as they pass over the ground. They gene-

Text Appearing After Image: CURLEW. 193 rally fly very high in the air during the day, but lower as thenight comes on; and when thus proceeding they fly inan angular line. The locality chosen by the Curlew is, asbefore named, either the sea-coast or some low, marshy, andopen meadow, and also extensive heathy moors or commons;and owing to this propensity of frequenting exposed places, itis with the greatest difficulty that one can approach it suffi-ciently near to get within the range of a gun. It is a veryeasy matter to know the presence of the Curlew, in conse-quence of its continued cry when on the wing; and bywatching where the bird alights during cold, stormy weather,and walking up to it against the wind, the newly inventedwire cartridges may enable a sportsman to shoot it on theground. We have often seen one of this species perch in the topbranches of some lofty elm or beech trees that border ChertseyMead. The Curlew walks with great ease on the ground,with long or moderate strides according to pleasure, an

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