Page:The Common Birds of Bombay.djvu/187

Rh special instrument, and its use is to draw small crabs, or shell fish, from their burrows in soft sand. When the tide is far out Curlews may be seen, on sandy spits or beaches, intent on this interesting occupation, walking much faster than the paddy birds with which they are often associated. They are well worth shooting, for the Curlew is usually very good eating, though occasionally rank. And it is almost the biggest wildfowl we get in these parts. But the Curlew is a wary bird and not at all willing to be shot at. When one falls, however, the neighbours gather and fly round it, screaming and wanting to know what is the matter, and you may get two or three more before they fly away. It is a cruel advantage to take of their kind-heartedness, but sport makes men cruel, whatever sportsmen may say to the contrary. Experto crede. At a distance the Curlew is a dingy brown bird with a little white on the back, but at close quarters it shows the game pattern so usual among these birds, each feather being dark-centred and light-edged. The Whimbrel, or Lesser Curlew, is just a smaller edition of its big brother, its bill being three inches in length, or a little more. It is even better on the table than the Curlew. Both birds arrive very early, before August is far on, and immediately after their arrival, while they are still strangers, many Whimbrels are netted for the Bombay market.

Another waterfowl which is sure to catch the eye, if it should chance to visit Bombay, is the Avocet, a beautiful white bird with black pointed wings and a little black on the head and shoulders. Its long, delicate bill is curved upwards, and I do not know