166 



ESKIMO CURLEW 

 266. yumenius borealis. 13.5 in. 



Bill comparatively short (about 2 in.) and little 

 curved. Above, marked similarly to the last; below 

 white or pale buff, often thickly 'covered on the breast 

 and sides with streaks and arrow head markings of 

 blackish. Primaries and most of the secondaries plain 

 iwnish-black, without the variegation of the last spe- 

 cies. A few years ago this was considered the most 

 abundant of the curlews, but so persistently have they 

 11 hunted that they are now practically exterminated. 

 \\ lu-n it comes to looking after their "safety, curlews 

 are, perhaps, the most stupid of the shore birds for they 

 do not seem to realize the dangerous character of man- 

 kind in general, and they have paid the penalty. I trust 

 that all sportsmen will refrain from shooting these birds. 



Nest. Like that of the Hudsonian; eggs similar but 

 smaller. 



Range. Eastern X. A., breeding in the Arctic regions 

 and migrating through the Plains, Mississippi Valley, 

 and to a less extent on the Atlantic coast, to South 

 America. Very rare now anywhere. 



