296 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Sept. 



Buffhreasfed Sandpiper, Tryngites rufescens (Vieill). — A 

 summer migrant, but not very common. I did not succeed in 

 taking eggs of this species, but I think it breeds on some of the 

 drier spots in marshes in Newfoundland. 



Marhled Godwit, Limosa fedoa (Limi). — Only a periodical 

 visitor ; most common in the fall. This and the following species 

 are called "dotterels" by the settlers. 



Hudsonian Godwit, L. hudsonica {Latham). — Visits New- 

 foundland in its periodical migrations, but is most common in the 

 fall of the year, when it is generally very fat and much appreciated 

 for the table. 



Longhilled Curlew, Numenius longirostris, Wilson. — A perio- 

 dical migrant much sought after by the settlers, who are great 

 adepts in imitating its whistle, by which means they kill many 

 that would otherwise pass a long distance out of range. It is a 

 fat, good- eating bird in the fall. 



Hudsonian Curlew, N. hudsonicus, Latham. — Frequently 

 confounded by the settlers, under the name of ''Jack Curlew," 

 with the preceding species, with which it is about equally common, 

 and like that visits Newfoundland in its migrations, but does not 

 breed there. 



Esquimaux Curlew, N. borealis (^torster). — By far the most 

 common species of curlew, but like the preceding species is only 

 a periodical visitor ; coming by thousands in the fall, but very 

 rarely in the spring; in fact, I think they take some other and 

 more direct route at that season. They feed on the berries of 

 Empetrum nigrum., which stain the feathers posteriorly a rich dark 

 purple. These birds arrive in Newfoundland on their migration 

 about the last week in August, and remain until the end of 

 September, when they are always very fat, and delicious eating. 

 I was told by one of the old English settlers that they were so 

 abundant some seasons that he had himself shot fifty in one 

 morning before sunrise. 



Virginia Rail, Rallus virginianus, Linn. — A summer migrant, 

 and apparently rare — I saw only one specimen ; but the well 

 known habits of the i?aZ?io?ce— that of concealment among reeds in 

 marshy places — may account for a seeming paucity in individuals. 



Cornmon American Bail, Porzana Carolina, Vieill. — A summer 

 migrant, and, although not common, is probably more so than the 

 preceding. 



American Coot, Fulicaamericana, (?me?i«. —Although this bird 



