256
THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
Curlew : Numenius arquata. Locally, " Whitterick " and " Old
Harry" (E. A. F.).
A very common bird on the mud-banks and saltings on the
Essex coast from about the middle of July to the end of May, but it
does not breed anywhere
in this part of England, and
the only occasions when
they are to be seen inland
in this county are during
the periods of spring and
autumn migration, when
small parties may some-
times be observed flying
over, and their loud
whistling notes may often
be heard at night, especi-
ally when the birds are
confused by the gas-lights
of a town. Some (perhaps wounded birds) undoubtedly remain on
the coast all the year round.
Sheppard and Whitear state (9. 42) that they are " to be met with at all times
of the year between Ipswich and Harwich ; but their nests have hitherto not
been found in those parts." Round Orsett, too, "a few seem to stay on the flats
all the year round" (Sackett). Lindsey, in 1851, says (27. App. 49) that it is " a
common bird on our coast, where it obtains a living from the middle of autumn,
through the winter, until the pairing season of the following spring." Lieut. Legge,
writing from Shoebury in November 1865, says (34. 92) " Great numbers of Cur-
lews feed on the flats in company with Godwits, Dunlins and Sea-gulls. * * * I
have never seen them so plentiful anywhere in England as they are here." As
regards its occurrence inland, Mr. Grubb says (39) : " We hear the distant cry of
this bird" at Sudbury. Mr. Buxton says (47. 97) it has been " seen several
times [in the Forest] and killed at Copped Hall." Mr. R. W. Christy saw
a small party here in March, 1879, and another of four about the middle of August,
1888. On the evening of May 16th, 1880, I saw a pair fly over here in a N.E.
direction. About the middle of Jan. following, Mr. Travis received one shot at
Littlebury. Their movements on the Essex coast are shown by the following ob-
servations of Mr. Parsons :—1826, Apr. 21st, " a good many on the sands." 1836,
Apr. nth, "not yet all gone;" 16th, " a good many about Canvey Island."
1837, May 23rd, "A great many up the Ray ; " June 6th, " not one to be seen
there." 1840, May 30th, " a great many up the Ray." Regarding their return
in the autumn he notes : 1833, July 18, " they are arriving on the shore." 1835,
July 21, " a great many on the sands ; " July 31st, " a great many on the shore
now." 1836, July 1, " a flock of as many as twenty on the sands ; " 18th, a good
many about the sands " (22).
Among extraordinary shots made in Essex may be mentioned one made some
thirty or forty years ago by a gunner named Frank Hope, of Maldon, who killed