History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Recurvirostra. BIRDS. PRESSIROSTRES. 101with ferruginous. A white band across the wings and the two middle tailfeathers.Beneath white, with cinereous spots on the flanks. Female hasthe reddish colour mixed with cinereous—Nest of grass, on the margin oflakes. Eggs olive, with crowded black spots. The young have the plumage,above, brownish-black, the feathers on the back with a reddish margin; beneathgreyish- white, with a tinge of yellow on the neck. The old birds inwinter are said to resemble the young. This species breeds in several smalllakes in Orkney, where it is called Water-Snipe. It is rare in other districts,and usually appears only as a winter visitant.Gen. LXV. RECURVIROSTRA. Avoset.—Bill recurved;connecting membrane of the toes reaching nearly tothe extremity.135. R. Avoceita. —Scooping Avoset. Crown, hind neck,back and quills black ;rest of the plumage white.Will. Orn. 240. Linn. Syst.i. 250. Penn. Brit. Zool. ii. 504. Temm.Orn. ii. 590— i?, Butterrlip, Scooper, Yelper, Picarini, Crooked-belly,Cobler's-awl ; W, Pig mynawd—llesident in England, a straggler inScotland.Length 18, breadth 30 inches; weight 13 ounces. Bill black, slender,flexible. Legs bluish-grey. Irides reddish-brown. Outer scapulars andmiddle covers of the wings black ;ridge of the wings and greater coverswhite. Female similar—Nest in a small hole on the drier parts of extensivemarshes. Eggs 2, olive-grey, with black spots. In the young, the blackhas a brownish tinge, and the scapular feathers have a reddish border Afterthe breeding. season, this bird retires from the fens, and assembles in flocks ofsix or seven, frequenting the sea- shore during the winter season.Gen. LXVI. NUMENIUS. Curlew.—Face feathered.Nasal groove extending three-fourths of the length of thebill. Nostrils linear. Hind toe touching &the earth. Thefirst quill longest.136. N.a?~quata. Common Curlew.— Plumage greyish-white,with brown streaks :scapulars black, with brown margins.Will. Orn. 216. Sibb. Scot. 18— Scolopax arq. Linn. Syst.i. 242. Penn.Brit. Zool. ii. 429.—Num. arq. Temm. Orn. ii. 603— S, Whaap, StockWhaap; W, Gylfmhir—Common.Length 24, breadth 42 inches ;weight 37 ounces. Bill black, 6 or 7 incheslong. Legs lead-coloured. Breast, belly and rump white, with oblongdusky spots and bars. Tail of 12 feathers, grey, with brown bands. Femalewith more grey and legs brown—Nest in unfrequented heaths and marshes,of dried stalks.Eggs 5, olive, with brown spots. Young leave the nest uponbeing hatched : have the bill short, and the plumage like the femaleThe curlew soon leaves the breeding-ground, and, during the winter season,frequents the sea-shore, and damp grounds in the neighbourhood.137. N. Pheopus. Whimbrel Curlew.— Plumage greyishwhite,with brown streaks; scapulars brown, with pale edges;longitudinal brown band on each side of the crown.Arquata minor, Will. Orn—Scol. Pheop. Linn. i.Syst. 243. Penn. Brit.