THE SHORT-BILLED OR HUDSONIAN CURLEW. 467 
various worms and insects. They are likewise fond of bramble- 
berries, frequenting the fields and uplands in search of this fruit, 
on which they get very fat, and are then tender and good eating, 
altogether free from the sedgy taste with which their flesh is usually 
tainted while they feed in the salt marshes. 
“The Curlews fly high, generally in a wedge-like form, somewhat 
resembling certain Ducks, occasionally uttering their loud, whistling 
note, by a dexterous imitation of which a whole flock may some- 
times be enticed within gunshot, while the cries of the wounded 
are sure to detain them until the gunner has made repeated shots 
and great havoe among them.” 
The eggs of the Long-billed Curlew are four in num 
ber. They are pyriform in shape, and almost exactly 
resemble the eggs of the Willet, but are considerably 
larger ; their dimensions being 2.75 inch in length by 1.96 
in breadth. 
Along the shores of the northern side of Cape Cod, this 
species is most abundant in the autumnal flight, where it 
appears in flocks of fifteen or twenty. Like many others of 
our shore-birds, it is taken, with the aid of decoys, by per- 
sons concealed in pits; and, being a delicate and well-con- 
ditioned bird, it is in high esteem, and much sought for in 
the markets where it is exposed for sale. 
NUMENIUS HUDSONICUS. — Latham. 
The Short-billed or Hudsonian Curlew. 
Scolopax borealis, Wilson. Am. Orn., VII. (1813) 22. 
Numenius Hudsonicus, Nuttall. Man., Il. (18384) 97. Aud. Orn. Biog., II. 
(1835) 283; V.589. Jb., Birds Am., VI. (1843) 42. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Smaller than the preceding; bill about twice the length of the head; wings long; 
tail short; legs moderate; head above brownish-black, with a longitudinal band: 
other upper parts brownish-black, tinged with ashy, spotted with dull yellowish- 
white, and lighter on the rump; under parts dull yellowish-white, with longitudinal 
narrow stripes of blackish-brown on the neck and breast; under wing coverts and 
axillaries pale ashy-rufous, transversely barred with black; quills brownish-black, 
with transverse bars of pale-rufous on the inner webs; tail brownish-black, with 
