BIRDS OF NEW YORK 34] 



Numenius borealis (Forster) 

 Eskimo Curlew 



Plate J 7 



Scolopax borealis Forster. Phil. Trans. 1772. 62:411,431 

 Numenius borealis DeKav. Zool. N. Y. 1844. pt 2, p. 234, fig. 214 



A. O.'U. Check List. Ed. 2. 1895. No. 266 



borcd'lis, Lat., northern 



Description. Much smaller than the other curlews; Ijill slender, 

 slightly curved. Similar to the Hudsonian curlew in color, Ijut with no 

 sharp central line on the crown which is mottled with buffv; the primaries 

 luitJwiit bars; breast markings V-shaped. 



Length 12-15 inches; extent 28; wing 8-8.75; tail 3; tarsus i. 7-1. 85; 

 middle toe i ; bill 2-2.5. 



The Eskimo curlew, Dough-bird, or Futc, was fonnerh- a regular fall 

 migrant on Long Island and perhaps in western New York, nesting in the 

 arctic regions, and wintering in South America as far as Patagonia. It was 

 formerly abundant on the Labrador coast in autumn, and frequently made 

 the journey to South America directly over the Atlantic, unless driven to 

 land by storms. The spring migration was through the Mississippi valley 

 where it abounded dtuing the month of May. Many like Professor Cooke 

 believe that this species is now practically extinct. If so it seems that 

 this unfortunate fate has overtaken it because of its habit of bunching 

 so closely during its migrations, that gunners, as well as unfavorable weather 

 conditions, had exceptional opporttmities to effect its destruction. It is 

 more often found on the dry upland fields than the other curlews, and 

 associates with the Golden plover and Upland plover, feeding on grass- 

 hoppers and other insects. In the fall it is extremely fond of the crow- 

 berry which grows in abundance in Labrador, and becomes fat and well- 

 flavored. Dr T. B. Heimstreet of Troy, N. Y., writes that a few of this 

 species associate with the Golden plover during the last week of August 

 and the first two weeks of September, on the fields along the south bank 

 of the St Lawrence river, not far from New York State, and are eagcrlv 



