SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY — NUMENIUS. 321 



density of the fog, and as soou as tlie weather cleared, they set oif in a straight 

 course across the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Wherever there was a spot affording a 

 supply of food, there the Curlews abounded, and were easily approached. By the 

 12th of August all had left the country. In Labrador Curlews feed chiefly on what is 

 there known as the "Curlew-berry" — a small black fruit growing on a creeping 

 shrub not more than an inch or two high. When in search of feeding-grounds they 

 fly in close masses with remarkable speed, performing beautiful evolutions in the 

 air. While on the wing they emit a soft, whistling note, but are silent when alighted. 

 They run swiftly on the ground, picking up the berries in their way ; and when pur- 

 sued, will squat in the manner of a Snipe, laying neck and head flat on the ground, 

 and when approached, at a single whistle of one of the flock, all immediately scream 

 and fly off, not infrequently realighting on the same spot. These birds continued 

 to arrive in Bras d'Ur for several days in flocks of increasing size. This species 

 rises from the ground by a single quick spring, cuts backward and forward and all 

 around in a very curious manner, and occasionally pauses in the air in the man- 

 ner of a Hawk, remaining stationary, with its head toward the wind, just before it 

 alights. It is more shy in calm and quiet weather than at any other time. In its 

 passage across the Gulf it flies high, in close bodies and at great speed, but not in 

 regular lines. Aiidubon was informed by old settlers at Bras d'Or that this Curlew 

 passes northward over the same tract about the middle of May. 



The Eskimo Curlews are known to migrate through the interior in immense 

 numbers in May. During the -second week of that month large flocks of several hun- 

 dred make their appearance, even while the snoAV, many feet in depth, still fills the 

 ravines. At this season this (Jurlew may be found scattered everywhere, dotting the 

 prairie in large, loose flocks. 



According to Giraud, this Curlew is found every season on the coast of 'New Jer- 

 sey, Long Island, and Rhode Island. It frequents the open ground in the vicinity of 

 the sea-coast, feeding on grasshoppers and other insects, seeds, worms, and berries. 

 It arrives on the shores of Long Island in the latter part of August, and remains until 

 the 1st of November, when it assembles in large flocks and moves off to its winter- 

 quarters. He has shot a few stragglers as late as the 20th of November. It occa- 

 sionally associates with the Golden Plover, is generally in fine condition in the 

 autumn, and, unlike both the other Curlews, its flesh is finely flavored. In the 

 vicinity of New York it is known by the name of Futes. By Southern sportsmen it 

 is known as the " Jack Curlew " and the " Short-billed Curlew." It is said to reach 

 the Middle States from the South early in the spring, remaining only a short time, 

 feeding in the salt-marshes and on the mud-flats. It moves in large flocks, and keeps 

 up a constant whistling during the journey. It has been stated by those who shoot 

 for the Philadelphia market, that a few remain and breed in the marshes about Cape 

 May ; but it is more probable that these are only barren stragglers. 



- On the New Jersey coast it is said to be a very shy bird, and requires great cau- 

 tion to approach. When frightened it flies with great rapidity, and is not easily 

 brought down ; but may be much more readily shot as it flies to and from its feeding- 

 grounds, or it may be taken unaAvares when, unsuspicious of danger, it is feeding 

 with other Waders on ba.rs and points along the creeks. To approach it under such 

 circumstances requires many precautions, as it is easily alarmed. If one is wounded, 

 its companions evince great solicitude for it, and will fly around it for some time ; 

 and advantage is often taken of this by the sportsman to obtain others. 



^Ir. MacFarlane met with this species breeding in great abundance throughout the 

 Barren Grounds up to the Arctic coast, but it was not met with before entering these 



VOL. I. — 41 



