See index to Ornithology.
Curling (Tentonic kurlen), a favourite Scottish division practised on the ice, in which the contending parties slide large stones (flattened for the purpose, and furnished with handles) towards a tee or mark. It thus bears some resemblance to bowling on a green.
Curling appears to have been first known in Scotland about the commencement of the sixteenth century, and was probably introduced by the immigrant Flemings. Of this game Sir David Brewster has given the following account:—
"The stones employed in it are of a spherical form, flattened above and below, so that their breadth may be nearly equal to twice their thickness. The upper and under surfaces are made parallel to one another, and the angles of both are rounded off. The under surface, or sole as it is called, is polished as nicely as possible, that the stone may move easily along. The blocks from which they are made are of whinstone or granite of a close texture, free from cracks, and capable of taking a fine polish. Those whinstone nodules, called 'Yolks,' on account of their toughness, and never breaking into large fragments, are reckoned the best. They have bent iron or wooden handles, and are from 30 to 60 lb. of avoirdupois weight, according to the strength of the person who uses them.
"The place where the stones move is called the Rink, the chief property of which is, that the ice be level, smooth, and free from cracks, particularly such as are in a longitudinal or oblique direction. A mark or hole is then made at each end, called a Tee, Toece, or Witter. Round this two circles of different diameters are drawn, that the relative distances of the stones from it may be calculated at sight; as actual measurement is not permitted till the playing at each end be finished. These circles, in the technical language of the game, are called the Broughs. A score drawn across the rink at each end, distant from the tee about a sixth part of the length of the rink, is called the Hogscore. The length of the rink, from tee to tee, varies from 30 to 50 yards. The breadth is about 10 or 12 feet. When the ice is covered with snow, it must be cleared to that extent, and also 10 or 12 feet beyond the tee at each end, that the stones, when impelled with too much force, may have room to get far enough not to be of any use.
"The number of players upon a rink is eight or sixteen; eight when the players use two stones each, and sixteen when they use one stone each. There may be one or more rinks, according to the number of curlers. The game may also be conducted by one person against another, by two against two, or three against three, each using one or more stones, as it may be agreed upon.
"He who is reckoned the best curler has generally the power of arranging the order of the players; and whoever is last in order gives directions to all the rest of his party. He is called the Driver, and the first the Lead.
"The game at first is remarkably simple. The lead endeavours to lay his stone as near the tee as possible. If it be a little short of it, upon the middle of the rink, it is reckoned to be fully better laid than if it touched it. The object of the next in order is nearly the same as that of the lead. The next attempts to guard the stone of his partner, if it be near the tee, or to strike off that of his antagonist, if it be nearer. The one who follows, if a stone belonging to his own party lie nearest the tee, tries to guard it; if one of the opposite party, to strike it off; or if no stone be near the tee, to draw a shot, that is, to make his stone rest as near the tee as he can.
"As the game advances, it becomes always the more intricate. Sometimes the stone nearest the tee, which is called the winner, is so guarded, that there is no possibility of getting at it directly. It then becomes necessary, in order to get it removed, to strike another lying at the side in an oblique direction. This is called Wicking, and is one of the nicest parts of the game. But when the winner cannot be reached even in this way, the last in order but one or two must endeavour to remove the opposing stones by striking them with great force. Sometimes the stones are so situated, that the driver, to avoid the risk of losing any shots which his party may have gained, throws away his stone without attempting anything. When the stones on both sides have been all played, the one nearest the tee counts one; and if the second, third, fourth, &c. belong to the same side, all these count so many shots, thirty-one of which for each side is the number usually played for."