234 NEW- YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



Kirtland in Ohio. It is very closely allied to the Whimhrel of Europe, with which it has 

 been confounded. Its eggs are bluish grey, with black spots. Its food, berries, worms, 

 aquatic insects, small marine, mollusca, and the seeds of aquatic plants. It is not quite as 

 abundant on our shores as the preceding species. Breeds in the northern regions. 



THE SMALL ESQUIMAUX CURLEW. 



NuMENIUS BOREALIS. 

 PLATE XCV. FIG. 214. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Srolopax borealis. Fofstef, Phil. Tr. Lond. Vol. 62, p. 411. 



Numenius id. Latham, Ind. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 712. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 314. Id. Am. Om. 



Vol. 4, p. 118, pi. 26, fig. 3. Nottall, Man. Om. Vol. 2, p. 101. Audubon, B. of Am. Vol. 6, 



p. 45, pi. 357. Giuaud, Birds of Long Island, p. 274. 



Characteristics. Crown blackish, with an indistinct medial line. Rump uniform with the 

 back : axillary feathers banded with black and reddish. Tail nearly 

 even ; the feathers edged with white and barred with brown. Length, 

 15-0. 



Description. Bill comparatively short and slender, slightly arched. First quill longest : 

 some of the inner secondaries much elongated. Tail short, nearly even. 



Color. Above blackish brown, mottled with rufous and grey. Upper part of the head 

 dark brownish, streaked with yellowish brown: a faint medial line of greyish white on the 

 crown. Chin and band over the eye white. Neck and breast yellowish grey, with dark 

 brown streaks becoming arrow-headed beneath. Quills blackish brown, unspotted ; the first 

 white, except at the tip. Bill dusky : feet bluish. 



Length, 13-5-16 : 'Q. 



This species, which is known to our sportsmen under the names of Little Curlew, Futes, 

 and Dough-bird, is much esteemed by epicures. Its appearance in this State in the spring 

 has not been noted, and it is probable that its vernal migration is rapid and nocturnal, occur- 

 ring possibly far inland. All that we know with certainty on the subject, is that it appears 

 along our coast from the north about the end of August, and remains with us until November, 

 when it proceeds southwardly. It is known to breed in high northern latitudes, laying 3-4 

 greenish eggs blotched with brown. According to Mr. Nuttall, this species has a wide 

 geographical range, extending from Paraguay to the 70th degree of north latitude. 



