NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 127 



is variously called, is not so abundant as the Long-billed or Eskimo 

 Curlews. It is generally distributed throughout North America, breed- 

 ing in the far north - - in vicinity of ponds and lakes on the Barren 

 Lands of the Arctic regions, the regions of the Anderson River and in 

 various parts of Alaska. Nests like those of the last species. In the 

 United States it is a spring and fall migrant and is often found in com- 

 pany with Godwits, Snipe and others of its tribe. The eggs are ashy- 

 yellow, the markings are large and bold, of different shades of choco- 

 late and uniber-brown. The eggs of this species can only be distin- 

 guished from those of the following species by their larger size ; from 

 2.12 to 2.30 in length by about 1.60 broad; generally four in number; 

 of the usual pear-shape. 



268. Numenius borealis (FORST). [560.] 



Eskimo Curlew. 



Hab. Eastern Province of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions; south in winter to Southern 

 South America. 



The Dough-bird, or Eskimo Curlew, is found in North America at 

 large and breeds within the Arctic circle. It migrates through the 

 United States, where it is rarely known to winter, and never to sum- 

 mer ; wintering in Central and South America. Abundant in certain 

 places during the migrations. In Labrador it is said to fairly swarm in 

 August. Of this bird's nest and eggs Dr. Coues says: "This species 

 breeds in great numbers in the Anderson River region, iisually making 

 up its nest complement of four eggs by the third week in June. The 

 nest is generally in an open plain, and is a mere depression of the 

 ground, lined with a few dried leaves or grasses. The eggs vary to the 

 great extent usually witnessed among waders. The ground is olive- 

 drab, tending either to green, gray or brown in different instances. The 

 markings, always large, numerous and bold, are of different depths of 

 dark chocolate, bistre and sepia-brown, with ordinary stone-gray shell 

 spots. They always tend to aggregate at the larger end, or at least, 

 are more numerous on the major half of the eggs ; though in a few in- 

 stances the distribution is nearly uniform. Occasionally the butt end 

 of the egg is almost completely occupied by confluence of very dark 

 markings. Eggs vary from 1.90x1.40 to 2.12x1.33, averaging about 

 2.00 x 1.45."* 



[267.] Numenius pksBopus (LINN.) [561] 



WhSmbrel. 



Hab. Old World; occasion.il in Greenland. 



In England and Scotland this bird is known as Whimbrel Curlew, 

 ' Half-Curlew," or Jack Curlew. It breeds throughout Northern 



''Birds of the Northwest, p. 512. 



