SOOLOPACID.E THE SNIPE FAMILY. 73 



sides, flanks, and orissum with V-shaped markings of dusky brown; axillars and lining of 

 the wing pale cinnamon, the former narrowly barred with dusky. Upper parts spotted 

 dusky and buff, the wing-coverts more grayish brown, with dusky shaft- streaks; primaries , 

 including their inner webs, plain brownish dusky. Eump and upper tail-coverts spotted 

 dusky and light buff. Tail brownish gray, barred with dusky. 



In plumage, this little Curlew closely resembles N. hudsonicus, but has the inner webs 

 of the primaries either plain dusky or else finely and confusedly mottled, instead of being 

 marked with very distinct and regular ochraceous spots; the breast with transverse 

 V-shaped markings instead of linear, longitudinal streaks, while there are other differen- 

 ces, besides the important one of size, which serve to readily distinguish them. 



The Little Curlew or "Dough Bird" is of rather commou oc- 

 currence in Illinois during the migrations, arriving, according 

 to Mr. Nelson, a little later than N. hudsonicus, passing north 

 with short delay, and returning the last of September and in 

 October. While lingering with us it frequents chiefly the wet 

 prairies, in company with the Golden Plover. 



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