102 
Distinctions. In well grown specimens the extreme length of bill (6 inches) of this 
species is diagnostic, but, as in numerous other species showing great specialization or 
size, growth continues for some time after apparent maturity and this feature is unreliable 
as sole guide. The crown, axillars, and primary characters, however, make good criteria 
for the Curlews. In this species the crown is dark, evenly spotted with light without 
aggregation into a median line, and the inner vanes of the primaries are marked with 
saw-tooth figures of dark on a light buff ground. The axillars are solidly coloured without 
ars. 
Field Marks. For recognition as a Curlew see previOus page- The Curlews cannot 
be separated in life with absolute certainty. 
Distribution. Breeds in the prairie provinces and well to the south. It is recorded 
originally as a more or less common migrant on the Atlantic coast north to the Maritime 
Provinces, but does not occur there now; also recorded from the Great Lakes region 
but without supporting evidence. The general confusion of this with the Hudsonian 
Curlew is responsible for many known misidentifications and the species should in future 
only be recorded in eastern Canada upon the conclusive evidence of specimens. 
265. Hudsonian Curlew. FR.—LE COURLIS DE LA BAIE D’HUDSON. Nuwmenius hud- 
sonicus. L, 17. A smaller Curlew than the last, but larger than the next. Of same 
general coloration, but the Hudsonian less buffy than the Long-billed, the underparts 
being dull creamy; see Curlew heading, previous page. 
Distinctions. Often diagnosed as the Long-billed, but can be easily distinguished 
from the other Curlews by the pronounced median stripe on the crown, instead of uni- 
formly distributed spots, combined with the saw-tooth marks on the inner webs of the 
primaries, and the barred axillars. 
Field Marks. For recognition as Curlews see Curlew, previous page. Curlews 
cannot be easily separated in life with certainty, but size and length of bill may help. 
This is the only species likely to be met with in eastern Canada. 
Distribution. Breeds in the northwestern Arctic. Migrates down the Pacific coast, 
and across the continent to the Atlantic where it is more common than in the interior. 
A regular though not abundant migrant in the Great Lakes region. 
This is the only Curlew of which we have any satisfactory evidence on 
the lower Great Lakes. It has learned from experience to be a wild and 
wary bird, and as it now occurs in numbers only in the extreme east not 
very many are taken. 
266. Eskimo Curlew. FR.—LE COURLIS DU NORD. CORBIGEAU DES ESQUIMAUX. 
Numenius borealis. L, 13-50. The smallest of the Curlews. Of same general coloration 
as the Hudsonian. 
Distinctions. Easily separated from either of the other Curlews by its smaller size 
and plain unmarked primaries, though the axillars are barred as in the Hudsonian, and 
the crown evenly spotted, without median stripe, as in t he Long-billed. 
Field Marks. See preceding species. This bird is, however, too rare nowadays for 
eyesight record. 
Distribution. Breeds on the barren grounds of the Mackenzie district. Migrates in 
oulune across to Labrador and then down the coast. In spring it ascends the Mississippi 
valley. 
Very close to extinction. Whether or not ill-regulated shooting was 
the chief cause of its great reduction in numbers, for old accounts speak of 
immense flocks, it was certainly contributory. This is another case of 
disappearance coming before realization of the necessity of protection and 
the apparent or threatened loss of a species that can never be replaced. 
FAMILY—CHARADRIIDA. PLOVER. 
_ General Description. Plover are rather more stoutly and compactly built than the 
Snipe-like birds. Their bills are shorter, soft at the base, but ending in a hard, horny tip, 
(Figure 24, p. 22). Hind toe lacking in all species except Black-bellied (p. 103) in which it 
is very small and almost rudimentary. 
