A dictionary of British birds : reprinted from Montagu's Ornithological dictionary, and incorporating the additional species described by Selby; Yarrell, in all three editions, and in natural-history journals / compiled and edited by Edward Newman.

  • George Montagu
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dictionary of British birds : reprinted from Montagu's Ornithological dictionary, and incorporating the additional species described by Selby; Yarrell, in all three editions, and in natural-history journals / compiled and edited by Edward Newman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    general resemblance, both in size and colour, to the Tantalus igneus and Tanta- lus Folcinellus, the former of which has been occasionally observed in this country.” It must, however, be observed that the generic distinction between the Ibis and Curlew is but obscure in some species, for the very small bare space between the eye and the bill, in the Tantalus igneus, might readil}' be overlooked, especially as it is of a dark colour, like the surroimding fea- thers ; in two specimens now before us it is scai'cely obvious through the glass of the eases. From the description we have been favoui’ed with from Miss Meyrick (who says that the bird come to her in so putrid a state that the circumstance of the bare space was not obseiwable, and that the hind toe was long as represented in the ligui’e referred to), not a doubt exists in our mind that it was that variety of Tantalus igneus called the Green Ibis, hereafter described. It is remarkable that where characters were so much wanting to designate the two genera of Tantalus and Numenius (for the latter is certainly disr tinct from Scolopax, though blended by Liunseus), that the length and situation of the hind toe should not have occuired; linufBus himself overlooked this chai’ac- ter, which appears so materially to sepa- rate the Tantalus from either the Nume- nius, Scolopax, or Tringa, all of which have a short hind toe, not situated at the heel so as to tread flat upon, but placed higher, and in general scarcely beaiing more than the claw upon the ground. On the contrary, the Tantalus has a long hind toe afiSxed to the heel; a complete con- tinuation of the foot for bearing on the ground its whole length, in order to sup- port the body. As a professor of British Zoology, we- tmst (as we are now writing professedly on the subject of British birds) that what we have said will be taken in good paid by those who may differ in opinion ^■ith us, being all equally liable to eiror. It is our duty to discover, as far as we are able, what reaUy belongs to the natural history of the empire, and to express our doubts, where such exist upon reasonable grounds. Curlew, Common.— [Yarrell, ii. 010; Hewitson, Ixxxvii. 322.] Scolopax Arquata, Lin. Syst. i. p. 242; Gmel. Syst. ii. p. 055. Numenius Arquata, Ind. Orn. ii. p. 710, 1; Bewick, Br. Birds, 11, t. p. 54; Shaw, Zool. Lect. 1, t. 77. Numenius, Raii Syn. p. 103, A. 1; Will. p. 210, t. 54; Bris. v. p. 311, 1; Ib. 8vo, ii. p. 289. Lo Courlis, Buf. viii. p. 19. Common Curlew, Br. Zool. ii. No. 170, t. 03 ; Ib. fol. 118 ; Arct. Zool. p. 402, A.; Will. Anyl. p. 294, t. 54; Albin. i, t. 79; Lath. Syn. v. p, 119, 1; Ib. S^tp. p. 242 ; Pult. Cat. Bypset. p. 14; Wale. Syn. ii. t. 133; Lexoin, Br. Birds, iv. t. 153. Provincial: Whanp, or Stock- ■Whaap.—This species is subject to vary considerably in size, weighing from twenty to upwards of thirty ounces; the length of the loi'gest about twenty-five inches. The bill is from six to seven inches long, dusky black; Mdes hazel. The head, neck, scapulars, and coverts of the wings, pale brown, each feather black in the middle, and lightest at the edges; breast and belly white, marked with oblong black spots; lower part of the back white, with a few dusky spots; the tail and its upper coverts bai-red with yellowish white and black; quills black, spotted on the inner webs with white; the legs are long, of a bluish grey colour. Male and female much alike. The Curlew is common on most parts of our coast in winter, where it feeds on smaU crabs and other marine insects, and worms. At this season it is gregarious. In the spring these birds re- tire inland, and most commonly to the more northern paris of this kingdom, to breed. For this purpose the most retired situation is resorted to, either on the mountains amongst the heath, or in the extensive, unfrequented marshes. We have taken the young on the mountains in Northumberland, and in the low, swampy grounds in the isle of Midi in Scotland. It makes no nest, but deposits its eggs amongst the heath, rushes, or long grass, generally four in number, of a pale olive colour, marked with brownish spots. The young make use of their legs as soon as they are hatched, but cannot fly for a considerable time. Supplement. — There are not many of the shore birds, or such as inhabit the margins of waters, but what are capable in some degree of contending with tiiat ele- ment if necessity requires; some can not only swim, but dive; a cticumstance not unusual in the common sandpiper. But it must be confessed we were suiq)rised to observe a domesticated Curlew flirt into a pond and swim across with great ease, and by no means as if alarmed. This we have repeatedly observed when he was driven, but he never took to the water by choice. It is reasonable to conclude that all the waders, or such as pick up tlieir suste- nance on the borders of water, can, under certain circumstances, partake of the na- ture of aquatics. The Curlew in his natu- ral state is so remarkably shy, tliat ho is ■vvith difficulty approached; but, like other birds wholly dependent for theti daily sub- sistence, soon becomes docRo. One that was shot in the wing, was turned amongst aquatic birds, and was at first so extremely shy that he was obliged to bo crammed
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