CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 201 



Breeding Notes. — This curlew frequents the Barren Lands 

 within the Arctic circle in summer, where it feeds on grubs and 

 fresh- water insects and the fruit of Empetrum nigrum. On the 1 3th 

 June, 1822, I found one of these curlews hatching on three eggs on 

 the shore of Point lake. (Richardson.) 



This species breeds abundantly in the Barren Grounds to the 

 eastward 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 sur- 

 rounding vegetation, and the bird glided off while we were still at 

 some distance. Thirty sets of eggs were gathered, including several 

 from the aforesaid lower Anderson "Barrens." (Macfarlane.) 



267. Whimbrel. 



Niimenius phceoptis (Linn.) Lath. 1787. 

 Nearly a dozen examples sent from all parts of Greenland have 

 been received at Copenhagen. Although Holboell doubts its doing 

 so. Prof. Reinhardt thinks that this species may breed in Greenland. 

 (Arct. Man.) An example of this species was shot near Assuk, 

 Greenland, on May 25th, 1885. (Hagerup.) Winge believes that 

 this species may sometimes breed in Greenland and cites many 

 instances of its having been taken in recent years. 



268. Bristle-thighed Curlew. 



Numenius tahitiensis (Gmel.) Ridgw. 1880. 



On May 24th, 1880, a pair of these birds settled near by, where 

 I was shooting black brant, on a rising stretch of land covered with 

 large tussocks. I secured the male, which was in fine plumage, but 

 could not find the female, although mortally wounded. This is the 

 second known instance of this bird's occurrence on the shores of 

 Alaska, the former record resting on the capture of a specimen at 

 Kadiak island by Bischoff. {Nelson.) 



