314 Synopsis of the Birds 



Extremely shy, wary and cunning. Solitary, except when 

 migrating, then uniting in large flocks. Live in the neigh- 

 bourhood of salt water and marshes, during summer advan- 

 cing inland. Feed on worms, insects, small fishes and mol- 

 lusca, which they seek in the sand or in the mud Nestle 

 on tufts in prairies and marshes. Flight high, rapid, and 

 protracted. Voice loud, whistling. 



Spread all over the globe : three species in Europe : three 

 in North America. 



242. Numenius roNGiRosTRis, Wils. Crown blackish, with 

 whitish streaks, no medial line; rump uniform with the rest; 

 long axillary feathers rusty ; bill very long, much arcuated. 



Long-billed Curlew, Numenius longirostris, Wils. viii. p. 23. 

 pi 64. Jig. 4. 



Inhabits throughout North America : common in spring 

 and autumn in the middle states. 



243. Numenius hudsonicus, Lath. Crown deep brown, with a 

 whitish medial line ; rump uniform with the rest ; long axil- 

 lary feathers banded with black and rusty ; bill short, much 

 arcuated. 



Esquimaux Curlew, Scolopax borealis, Wils. vii. p. 22. 

 pi. 66. Jig. l. 



Inhabits throughout North America : breeding to the 

 north, wintering to the south : common on their double pas- 

 sage in the middle states. 



244. Numenius borealis, Lath, nee Ord. Crown blackish, 

 streaked with whitish, no medial line; rump uniform with 

 the rest; long axillary feathers banded with black and rusty ; 

 bill very short, but little arcuated. 



Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius borealis, Nob. Jim. Orn. Hi. 



Numenius brevirostris, Temm.pl. col. 381. (24) 



Inhabits throughout North and South America : rare in the 

 United States, found at Hudson's Bay, in the western territory, 

 Brazil, Paraguay, &c. 



