The Curlew — Numenius Arquata (Linnæus)
The Curlew is an abundant resident throughout the United Kingdom. In the winter it is essentially a shore-bird, moving about in large flocks, which may be found in the meadows and pasture-lands near the coast; these flocks journey to the shore twice daily to feed on the mud or rocks left bare by the ebbing tide. In April it leaves the coast to nest on the heath-covered moors, and though it breeds in larger numbers in Scotland it is well distributed in the north and west of England and Ireland.
The nest is a shallow “scrape” with hardly any lining, and is placed among the heather or in a grass field. The four eggs are very pyriform in shape and are olive green in colour blotched with brown; the duties of incubation are undertaken by both sexes. It is extremely wary, rising on wing at the least alarm and calling out its loud “cour lie,” which may be heard a considerable way off. Its food consists of worms, slugs, snails, and other insects, and when on the shore, small fish and crustacea are added to the bill of fare.
The general colour is a pale brown, with dark streaks; rump, vent, and upper tail coverts white. In winter the under parts are very pale in colour, almost white. The female is larger and the young in their first plumage are spotted rather than streaked on the back. Length 21-26 in.; bill 4·7-6 in.; wing 11·5-12·25 in.