THE SHORT-BILLED OR HUDSONIAN CURLEW. 467 



various worms and insects. They are likewise fond of bramble- 

 berries, frequenting the fields and uplands in search of this fruit, 

 on which they get very fat, and are then tender and good eating, 

 altogether free from the sedgy taste with which their flesh is usually 

 tainted while they feed in the salt marshes. 



" The Curlews fly high, generally in a wedge-like form, somewhat 

 resembling certain Ducks, occasionally uttering their loud, whistling 

 note, by a dexterous imitation of which a whole flock may some- 

 times be enticed within gunshot, while the cries of the wounded 

 are sure to detain them until the gunner has made repeated shots 

 and great havoc among them." 



The eggs of the Long-billed Curlew are four in num 

 ber. They are pyriform in shape, and almost exactly 

 resemble the eggs of the Willet, but are considerably 

 larger ; their dimensions being 2.75 inch in length by 1.96 

 in breadth. 



Along the shores of the northern side of Cape Cod, this 

 species is most abundant in the autumnal flight, where it 

 appears in flocks of fifteen or twenty. Like many others of 

 our shore-birds, it is taken, with the aid of decoys, by per- 

 sons concealed in pits ; and, being a delicate and well-con- 

 ditioned bird, it is in high esteem, and much sought for in 

 the markets where it is exposed for sale. 



NUMENIUS HUDSONICUS. Latham. 

 The Short-billed or Hudsonian Curlew. 



Soolcpax boreahs, Wilson. Am. Orn., VII. (1813) 22. 



Numenius Hudsonicus, Nuttall. Man., II. (1834) 97. Aud. Orn. Biog., III. 

 (1835) 283; V. 589. /&., Birds Am., VI. (1843) 42. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Smaller than the preceding ; bill about twice the length of the head ; wings long ; 

 tail short; legs moderate; head above brownish-black, with a longitudinal band: 

 other upper parts brownish-black, tinged with ashy, spotted with dull yellowish- 

 white, and lighter on the rump; under parts dull yellowish-white, with longitudinal 

 narrow stripes of blackish-brown on the neck and breast; under wing coverts and 

 axillaries pale ashy-rufous, transversely barred with black; quills brftwnish-black, 

 with transverse bars of pale-rufous on the inner webs ; tail brownish-black, with 



