THE BIRD BOOK 



Eskimo Curlew. 



266. ESKIMO CURLEW. Numenius borealis. 



Range. Eastern North America, breeding in 

 the Arctic regions and wintering 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. A few years 

 ago this was considered the most abundant of 

 the curlews, but so persistently have they been 

 hunted that they are now practically extermin- 

 ated. They were the most unsuspicious of the 

 shore birds, and would allow the near approach 

 of the gunner, and the penalty may now be 

 seen. Only a short while ago they were very 

 often found, during migration, in company with 

 ether 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 phaeopus. 



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 ^^^dBUBH^G* 



Scotland, where it is very abund- 

 ant, 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 on 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 depression in 

 the ground, lined with dried 

 grass. Olive br o W n. 



[268.] BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW. Numenius tahiliensis. 



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 

 terminating in long bristles. 



160 



