250 SCOLOPACID^E I SNIPE. ETC. 



The eggs of the Long-billed Curlew are not often 

 so pyriform as those of the smaller waders, being in shape 

 not unlike a hen's eggs. Different specimens measure : 

 2.45X1.85; 2.60X1.80; 2.65x1.80; 2.70X1.90; 

 2.8oX 1.90. They are clay-colored, with more or less 

 olivaceous in some instances, and in others a decidedly 

 buffy shade. The spotting is generally pretty uniformly 

 distributed and of small pattern, though in many cases 

 there is larger blotching and even massing about the 

 great end. The color of the markings is sepia or umber, 

 of different shades in the buffy-tinged specimens, rather 

 tending to chocolate. The shell-markings are commonly 

 numerous and evident. 



HUDSONIAN CURLEW; AMERICAN 

 WHIMBREL. 



NUMENIUS HUDSONICUS LatJi. 



Chars. With a general resemblance to the foregoing, this species 

 is readily distinguished by smaller size, shorter and less curved 

 bill, and less rufescent plumage. Length, 16.00-18.00; wing, 

 9.00-10.00 ; tail, 3.50 ; tarsus, 2.25-2.50 ; bill, 3.00-4.00. General 

 tone of coloration scarcely rufous, the under parts, and the 

 variegation of the upper, being whitish or ochraceous. Top of 

 head uniform blackish-brown, with well-defined median and lateral 

 pale stripes. Upper parts brownish-black, speckled with 

 whitish, ochraceous or pale cinnamon-brown, in same pattern as 

 in longirostri*, but the dark in excess of the light colors, and 

 these never strongly rufescent. Tail ashy-brown (not rufous), 

 with numerous narrow blackish bars. Primaries fuscous, 

 marbled or broken-barred with pale color. Lining of wings and 

 axillars rufescent, spotted or barred throughout with dusky. 

 Under parts soiled whitish or somewhat ochraceous, only 

 decidedly rufescent on crissum if anywhere ; the jugulum and 



