102 PLOVERS 



265. Nuraenius hudsonicus Lath. Hudsonian Curlew. 



Smaller than longirostris, with shorter bill and dnller coloration ; quills 

 plain dusky. Upper parts specked, mottled, and barred with dusky and 

 buff ; crown black with middle and side lines of buff ; a dusky stripe 

 throug-h eye ; under parts buffy, barred and streaked on sides, chest, and 

 neck with dusky. Length : 16.50-18.00, wing- 9.00-10.2,5, bill 3-4, tarsus 

 2.25-2.30. 



Distribution. — Nearly the whole of North and South America and the 

 West Indies, breeding' in the far north and wintering in the southern 

 United States and southward. 



Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with grass and leaves. Eggs : 

 usually 4, creamy to pale olive, spotted with dull brown. 



The Hudsonian curlew is common on the coasts but rare in the 

 interior. In habits as well as general appearance it is similar to the 

 long-billed curlew. 



266. Numenius borealis (Forst.). Eskimo Curlew. 



Similar to hudsonicus but smaller, with slenderer bill ; crow^n faintly 

 specked with buffy on black, and without a distinct median line of buff. 

 Length : 12.(30-14.50, wing 8.00-8.50, bill 2.25-2.50, tarsus 1.70-1.80. 



Distribution. — Eastern North America, breeding in arctic regions and 

 migrating to southern South America ; west to Kansas and Nebraska. 

 Recorded from San Diego, California {The Auk., i. 393). 



Nest and eggs. — Similar to those of hudsonicus. 



The Eskimo curlew is said to be an abundant migrant on the 

 plains east of the Rocky Mountains. 



FAMILY CHARADRIIDiE : PLOVERS. 



KEY TO GENERA. 



1. Hind toe present but small Squatarola, p. 102. 



I'.Hind toe wanting. 



2. Upper parts spotted, belly black in summer, grayish in winter. 



Charadrius, p. 103. 



2'. Upper parts plain, belly always white .... iEgialitis, p. 103. 



GENUS SQUATAROLA. 



270. Squatarola squatarola (imn.). 

 Black-bellied Plover. 

 Hind toe minute ; bill rather short. Adults 

 in summer : face, throat, and belly black, bor- 

 dered with white ; upper parts spotted with 

 black and white ; upper tail coverts white at 

 base ; outer half of tail barred with dusky. 

 Adults in winter : under parts white, overlaid, 

 streaked, and mottled with dusky and gray, 

 becoming creamy or white on anal region ; 

 upper parts spotted with gray and dusky. 

 Young : like winter adults, but spotted above 

 with light vellow, gray, and black. Length: 

 10.50-12.00, wing 7.50, bill 1.10, tarsus 1.95. 

 Fig. 119. Distribution. — Nearly cosmopolitan, but 



