390 



General Notes. [October 



Sept. 8, 1S75; one on Aug. 26, 1879; one on Aug. 28, and one on Sept. i, 

 1S86; one on Sept. 5, 1S92. I am consequent!}' inclined to regard them 

 as not very abundant in the above localitj. Of the few which I have seen 

 I have remarked their extreme gentleness and desire to be in company 

 with other birds. On one occasion I had one alight among my Plover 

 decoys on the upland (which they seem very fond of frequenting) and, not 

 wishing to shoot it, I allowed it to remain for quite a while so I could 

 watch it. During this time it moved about with unconcern, apparently 

 not being aware that its supposed companions were of wood. It seemed 

 so gentle that I determined to see how near it would permit me to approach, 

 and it was not over five or six feet from me when it flew away, but only for 

 a short time, however, for it returned and alighted in the course often or 

 fifteen minutes. Having no desire to shoot it, I allowed it to remain until 

 it departed not to i-eturn. All the birds that I have seen come immedi- 

 ately to the decoys on perceiving them, and alight without hesitation or 

 fear. Their flight is rapid, with many turns and zigzag movements, and near 

 the ground, constantly turning up so as to show their entire under parts. 

 They vary greatly in size, so much so that, speaking from memory, 

 I should say some of those I have recorded were nearly two thirds larger 

 than others. I think the plumage of the younger birds is rather lighter 

 colored all over than the adults'. I have never observed more than 

 seven or eight birds in a flock, and then only once. With their noticeable, 

 clean-cut outline, and peculiarly soft, blended plumage, they are one of our 

 most graceful and attractive Sandpipers. — Gegrge W. Mackay, Nati- 

 tucket, Mass. 



A Specimen of Numenius arquatus Said to have been Taken on Long 

 Island, N. Y. — The collection of the New York State Museum contains a 

 specimen of Curlew labelled ^'Numenius longirostris. Long-billed Curlew, 

 male, taken on Long Island in 1S53." The specimen proves to be a 

 European Curlew {Numenius arquatus). Mr. William Dutcher has com- 

 pared the specimen with specimens oi Numenius arquatus in the American 

 Museum of Natural History in New York City, and says there is not the 

 slightest doubt that the bird belongs to that species. This being the case, 

 the statement on the label that the bird was taken on Long Island 

 becomes an interesting one. Mr. Brewster, Mr. Ridgway and Dr. Mer- 

 riam inform me that, so far as they know, the species has never been 

 ecorded as occurring in an American locality. 



The annual reports of the New York State Museum (or Cabinet) record 

 but three specimens of Long-billed Curlew, Numenius longirostris, as 

 having been received into the State collection, viz., one specimen (with- 

 out data of any kind) recorded in the ist Report, p. 17, 1848; one male, 

 recorded as part of the De Rham collection, 4th Report, p. 36, 1851 ; one 

 male, recorded in the 7th Report, p. 17, 1854. This last specimen was re- 

 ceived in 1853 as it is recorded in '-Appendix A. Catalogue ot the quad- 



