HUDSONIAN CURLEW. 159 



the number of waders and swimmers we now see is small compared • 

 with former years. 



In the "Birds of Minnesota," Dr. Hatch, at the connnencement of 

 his article on the J^ong-billed Curlew, says : "This widely distributed 

 species is nowhere better represented than in Minnesota," but refer- 

 ring to this statement he says, in a foot-note: "The above was true 

 when written, but the curlews of this species, once so common, have 

 become less so within the last decade ; and now, having been driven 

 back from both coasts by the advance of civilization, are found in 

 great numbers far inland on the dry plains, where they are killed 

 in scores and hundreds." 



Dr. Bell remarks that it has not been seen near Hudson's Bay. 

 It does not migrate so far north as either of the other species with 

 which we are acquainted. It still breeds abundantl}^ on the south 

 Atlantic coast, and is resident from the Cai'olinas south to Mexico. 



NUMENIUS HUDSONICUS Lath. 

 117. Hudsonian Curlew. (^265) 



Bill, inediiiiu, 3 or 4 inches long; lengtli, 16-18; wing, 9; tail, 3i; tarsus, 

 2|-25. Plumage, as in the last species in pattern, but general tone nuicli paler; 

 quills, barred. 



Hab. — All of North and South America, including the West Indies; breeds 

 in the high north, and winters chiefly south of the United States. 



Nest, a depression in the ground, lined with grass. 



Eggs, ashy yellow, marked with chocolate and umber-l:)rown. 



According to Dr. Coues, hiidxonirKs is less abundant than either 

 of the other two Curlews, but at Hamilton it is, of the three, most 

 frequently observed. I was once on the Beach in May, when there 

 appeared to be a migratory movement of Hudsonian Curlews toward 

 the north. They flew high, in regular order, like geese, and showed 

 no inclination to alight till a boy, with a long shot, brought down 

 one, wing broken, from a passing flock. 



Knowing the habits of the birds, he quickly tied it to a stake in a 

 moist meadow, and concealing himself close by, had good shooting 

 during the afternoon, for the loud outcry made by his prisoner 

 brought down eveiy passing flock. 



Of late years very few have been seen. 



This is a truly northern species, for Mr. Nelson reports it as a 

 migrant in Alaska, only an isolated pair remaining here and there to 

 pass the summer, the main body going farther north, where they 



