126 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



266. Eskimo Curlew. Numenius borealis. 



Range. Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and winter- 

 ing in South America; migrating through the eastern half of the United States, 

 more abundantly in the interior than on the coast. 



A still smaller species than the last (length 14 inches) and very similar to it. 

 These birds are more abundant than the last, and nearly as numerous as the 

 Long-billed Curlews; they are very often found, during migration, in company 

 with other waders such as the Golden or Black-bellied Plovers. Their nests are 

 simply hollows in the plains, lined with a few grasses, dried leaves, or moss. 

 The three or four eggs are the same as the last for color but are smaller; size 

 2.00 x 1.45. 



[267.] Whimbrel. Numenius ph&opus. 



A European species casually appearing in Greenland; very similar to the 

 Hudsonian Curlew, but with the rump white. 



^^ This species is known as the 



..^ Jack Curlew in England and 



Scotland, where it is very abun- 

 dant, and is a favorite game 

 bird. It breeds in the northern 

 parts of Europe and Asia, and 

 in the extreme north of Scotland 

 and on the Shetland Islands. 

 The eggs are laid in hollows in 

 the ground on higher parts of 

 the marshes. The three or four 

 eggs have an olive or greenish 

 brown color and are blotched with 

 dark brown. Size 2.30 x 1.60. 

 Data Native, Iceland, May 29, 

 1900. Six eggs. Nest a depres- 

 sion in the ground, lined with 

 dried grass. 



[Olive brown. 



[288]. Bristle-thighed Curlew. Numenius tahitiensis. 



Range. Islands and coast on the Asiatic side of the Pacific; casually found 

 in Alaska. A very peculiar species with many of the feathers on the flanks ter- 

 minating in long bristles. 



PLOVERS. Family CHARADRIID/E. 



Plovers are stouter built birds than those of 

 the previous family, have larger head, shorter 

 necks and but three toes. 



[269]. Lapwing. Vanellus vanellus. 



An abundant European species accidentally 

 occurring on the Atlantic coast. It may read- 

 ily be recognized by its long black crest, black 

 chin and throat, and white under parts. It 

 breeds throughout temperate Europe laying its 

 eggs in hollows on the ground. The eggs 

 have a dark grayish buff ground and are spot- 

 ted with black. Size 1.85 x 1.30. [(Jrayish.J 



