{ 271 ) 



frequent — and it is rarely seen exposed for sale in the New York 

 markets. 



Its nest I have never found, and do not think it breeds on Long 

 Island. At Eg'g- Harbor, I have been inforraed it breeds. Early 

 in May it commences build mg its nest, -which is formed of 

 sea-weed, dry salt-grass, and other coarse materials. The eggs are 

 four, of a yellowish clay-color, blotched with black. In autumn, 

 migrates southward. 



GENUS NUMENIUS — BRISS. 

 CURLEW. 



[Bill very long, slender, dccurvcd or arched — upper mandible longer, obtuse 

 at the end — head rounded, above coraprtssed — neck long — body full — wings 

 long — feet rather long — toes connected at the base — tibia bare a short space 

 above the knee — legs rather long — tail short, rounded. J 



NUMENIUS LONGIROSTRIS— WILSON. 

 LONG-BILLED CURLEW. 



Specific Character — Bill toward the end decurved ; upper part 

 of the throat, and a band from the bill to the eye, light buff; gen- 

 eral plumage pale reddish-brown ; head and neck streaked with 

 dusky ; upper parts marked with blackish-brown ; tail barred with 

 the same ; abdomen plain reddish-brown ; feet bluish. Length 

 twenty-six inches, wing eleven. The bill of the specimen from 

 which this description is taken, measures eight inches. The bills 

 of individuals of this species vary, but the length is at all times 

 sufficient to determine the species. 



This bird is more abundant at the South. On "Folly Island," 

 about twenty miles below Charleston, I am informed that many of 

 them breed. They are regular visiters at Egg Harbor and Long 

 Island in the spring and summer, and have been seen in the latter 

 place as late as the middle of November. Mr. Brasher informs 

 me that he has met with it on the prairie lands in Illinois in the 

 month of May- 



