88 Birds of Canada. 
curved downwards; upper parts, pale rufous, 
with lines of black on the neck and sides; legs, 
bluish-brown. 
N. hudsonicus—The Short-billed Curlew 
The Short-billed Curlew is also a spring and 
fall visitor. Bill smaller than the preceding ; 
head, above, brownish-black ; other upper parts, 
brownish-black, tinged with ashy. 
NV. borealis—The Esquimaux Curlew. 
This Curlew is not often seen in Canada, as it 
merely remains for a few days during the spring 
and fall migrations. ‘They breed in the far north. 
It is easily distinguished from the other two by 
its smaller size, and its small and weak bill. 
Sub-Famtily RALLINE.—The Rails. 
Rallus elegans —TVYhe Marsh Hen. 
The Marsh Hen occasionally visits Canada in 
the spring and autumn. Upper parts, olive- 
brown; underneath, chestnut. 
R. crepitans —The Clapper Rail. 
The Clapper Rail is a summer resident of 
Canada. Color, above, light ashy-olive; neck 
and breast, tawny ; abdomen, and sides, brown- 
ish black. Nests, on the ground, in or near a 
marsh ; eggs, seven, of a creamy-drab color. 
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