''^I'sai''''] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 429 



265. Numenius hudsonicus Latham. Hudsouiau Curlew. 



We did not eacounter this curlew on our several eastern journeys to 

 and from, nor on the coast of Franklin B ly ; but it is by no means very 

 rare in the "Barrens" to the west of the Lower Anderson, where the 

 Esquimaux discovered some thirteen well identified nests with eggs. 



266. Numenius borealis (Forster). Esquimaux Curlew. 



This species breeds abundantly in the Barren Grounds to the east- 

 ward of Fort Anderson — and, except when otherwise described, these 

 are the " Barrens," which are invariably referred to, right up to the 

 Polar Sea. The nests in every observed instance were mere holes or 

 depressions in the ground. Great difficulty was frequently experienced 

 in finding them, as the eggs closely resembled the surrounding vegeta- 

 tion, and the mother, as a rule, glided ofl" while we were still at some 

 distance. Thirty sets of eggs were gathered, including several from the 

 aforesaid Lower Anderson "Barrens.'' Among the many joyous bird 

 notes which greet one while crossing these grounds, especially on a fine 

 sunshiny morning, none seemed more familiar or pleasanter than the 

 prolonged mellow whistle of the Esquimaux Curlew. 



270. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.). Black-bellied Plover. 



Our first introduction to this handsome and somewhat rare Arctic 

 plover was on Island Point in Franklin Bay, on 4th July, 1864. The 

 nest contained four eggs and was composed of a small quantity of with- 

 ered grasses placed in a depression on the side or face of a very gentle 

 eminence. Both i^arents were seen and the male shot. We at first mis- 

 took them for the Golden Plover, which they so much resemble, but 

 their note and a close comparison of skins soon undeceived us. On the 

 following day another nest with four eggs was discovered, and a third 

 also was met with, over which a snare was set; but, unfortunately, 

 while we slept, a Snowy Owl {Nyctea 7iyctea Linn.) devoured the cai)- 

 tured female, together with her four eggs. In 1865, seven nests were 

 gathered by our party in the same quarter. It is probable that both 

 parents relieve each other during the process of incubation, as a male 

 bird was snared on one of the nests. We never received a single skin 

 or egg of this, but plenty of the Golden Plover, from the Esquimaux of 

 the Lower Anderson or from the shores of Liverpool Bay. 



272. Charadrius dominicus Miill. American Golden Plover. 



This beautiful si^ecies is very numerous in the Barren Grounds, from 

 the outskirts of the forest to the shores of the Polar Sea. The nests 

 were precisely similar to those of C. squatarola. They were also as diffi- 

 cult to detect, and for the same reason, a harmonizing resemblance of 

 the egg markings to the surrounding soil and a timeous departure of the 

 female bird from her nest. In a very few instances, where slie happened 

 to be surprised by a close approach, she would pretend lameness and 



