THE STONE-CURLEW
Œdicnemus scolopax (S. G. Gmelin)
The Stone-Curlew is a summer visitor to this country, frequenting wild, sandy “brecks,” and undulating chalky downs. It is therefore a somewhat local species, being commonest perhaps in the “breck” district of Norfolk and Suffolk; it is also found on the downs of most of the southern and eastern counties, as well as on the Chilterns and in one or two other counties to the north, but in the west of England, Scotland, and Ireland it is entirely absent, and has only occurred on very few occasions.
Sandy brown in colour, it assimilates so well with its surroundings that it is very difficult to see, and when approached will often “squat,” stretching its neck out to its fullest extent, and so escape observation. It runs with great rapidity and flies strongly, its flight rather resembling that of a Pigeon, while the white bars on the wing coverts show up conspicuously. Its food, which is chiefly taken at dusk and dawn, consists of insects of all kinds, especially beetles.
Living as it frequently does in districts away from water, it journeys nightly to a favourite watering-place. The note is a loud whistling cry, which is uttered at night, and during the early spring these birds are very noisy.
The two eggs are deposited towards the end of April or beginning of May on the bare ground, a spot where there are many loose stones, among which they are very difficult to see, being usually chosen. In colour the eggs are pale clay spotted and streaked with dark brown, those in the same clutch being often very dissimilar in markings. Both sexes assist in the duties of incubation and rearing of the young, who, when first hatched, are pale buff with a longitudinal dark line down each side of the back. Their legs are much thickened, a feature common to many Limicoline birds, and this has led to this species being sometimes known as the “Thick-Knee.” In August old and young gather together in flocks and shortly afterwards take their departure, though occasionally individuals have been known to pass the winter in this country.
STONE CURLEW
Œdicnemus scolopax
The sexes are alike in plumage. The upper parts are of a uniform sandy brown, with dark streaks down the centres of the feathers; some of the wing coverts tipped with white to form two narrow bars. Neck and breast pale brown streaked with darker. Throat and belly white. There is also a white stripe under each eye. Bill yellow with a black tip; legs greenish yellow. Length 16 in.; wing 9·25 in.
The young are similar to their parents but browner, and the tail feathers are more barred.