172 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Heteroscelus incanus. — Coues. Wandering Tattler. 



Peculiar to the islands and coasts of the Pacific, where they are 

 known by a dozen names. The plumage is generally a uniform 

 lead grey above, below white, shaded and barred with grey. 



Nmnenius ian^rirosiris.— Wilson. Long-billed Curlew. Sickle-bill. Sabre-bill. 

 A common resident, distinguishable to gunners from all other 

 birds by the great length of its bill, which measures from five to 

 nine inches. The coloration is much like that of the MarHn, the 

 general tone of the bird being rufous, thickly marked with arrow- 

 heads and bars of blackish. 



Numenius hudsotiicus. — Lath. Hudsonian Curlew. Jack Curlew. 



Also abundant in the United States and breeds in British 

 America. The color is like that of the last species, but a shade 

 paler. It is a much smaller bird and its bill is shorter, being but 

 three to four inches in length. 



Numenius borcalis. — Lath. Esquimaux Curlew. Dough Bird. 



Like the former in color but still smaller, the bill measuring 

 under three inches. 



Curlew are generally very abundant and breed in high, hilly, and 

 sandy grounds. The nest is very slight and usually contains four 

 eggs, placed with the small ends together. These birds have a 

 singular way of just keeping out of gun-shot, and rise with a mourn- 

 ful cry, alarming every bird within hearing, thus spoiling the sport 

 among the Willets, as at certain seasons they frequently associate 

 with one another. The best decoy is to tie a dark bandanna hand- 

 kerchief on the top of a small stick, the gunner lying concealed be- 

 hind some dry drift-wood, waving the decoy and imitating their 

 ciy from time to time. It is not thought highly of as a table bird, 

 but when properly cooked with a little lemon, and good cayenne, it 

 is not to be despised. 



An almost endless variety of the Limicol(z are found on the 

 shores of Long Island, these localities seemingly being especially 

 adapted to this family and furnishing to them an inexhaustible sup- 

 ply of food. 



