LONG-BILLED CURLEW 105 



each note. Our name " curlew " and the French " curlieu " are 

 probably both derived from one of the commonest and most charac- 

 teristic calls, 



P. A. Taverner (1926) says: 



The commonest call note is a clear pil-wHl, so nearlj' like that of the willet 

 that it can not always be distinguished from it. Other notes resemble those of 

 the upland plover. One especially delightful is a long-drawn curl-e-e-e-u^u-u, 

 sparkling clear and rising in the middle about five notes, then dying gradually 

 away, lowering in scale and volume. The entire call lasts about three seconds 

 of time. 



Field 7narhs. — The long-billed curlew can be easily recognized by 

 its large size, long, curved bill, and cinnamon color. It is much 

 larger than the Hudsonian and much more cinnamon in color, espe- 

 cially in the wings. It is much like the marbled godwit in color, but 

 its curved bill is easily distinguished from the straight bill of the 

 godwit. 



Fall. — I quote again from Mr. Wickersham (1902) as follows: 



July is spent in raising the chicks and by the middle or latter part of August, 

 all is ready for the flight south to Texas, Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies. 

 Then it is that we see them in great flocks of hundreds, bobbing up and down all 

 over the prairie, more nervous than ever ; and then it is that they are least 

 wary at times and at other times so very wary that it is impossible to approach 

 them. They are so nervous and upset that they do not seem to know their own 

 mind and it is at that season of the year that their antics become almost as 

 ridiculous as they are just before the breeding season. The day comes when you 

 stroll out to take notes on the birds that you have seen by the hundreds the day 

 before only to find that they have disappeared ; not a bird answers your call, no 

 hoarse screaming betokens your approach ; they have gone, gone far away in 

 long V-like squadrons and, unless you follow them to their winter home in the 

 southland, you will not see their familiar forms for many months. 



The long-billed curlew is now practically unknown in any of the 

 Eastern States, but it formerly appeared on the Atlantic coast about 

 the middle of July and in the Southern States in early August. It is 

 still quite common in California from the middle of July through 

 September. The main flight goes directly south to Texas and Mexico. 



Game. — Although long since removed from the game-bird list, the 

 " sickle-bill " was a fine game bird. Its large size made it a tempting 

 target. It decoyed readily and could be easily whistled clown by 

 imitating its notes. The cries of a wounded bird were sure to attract 

 others, which would circle around again and again until many were 

 killed. For these and other reasons it is well that the much-needed 

 protection came in time to save this fine bird from certain exter- 

 mination. 



Dr. D. G. Elliot (1895) writes: 



Once when shooting in Florida, in the vicinity of St. Augustine, a large flock 

 of these birds passed overhead, and I brought down some by two shots from my 



