CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 201 
BREEDING NotTes.—This curlew frequents the Barren Lands 
within the Arctic circle in summer, where it feeds on grubs and 
fresh-water insects and the fruit of Empetrum nigrum. On the 13th 
June, 1822, I found one of these curlews hatching on three eggs on 
the shore of Point lake. (Rzchardson.) 
This species breeds abundantly in the Barren Grounds to the 
eastward of Fort Anderson—and, except when otherwise described, 
these are the ‘‘Barrens’’ which are invariably referred to, right up 
to the Polar sea. The nests, in every observed instance, were mere 
holes or depressions in the ground. Great difficulty was frequently 
experienced in finding them, as the eggs closely resembled the sur- 
rounding vegetation, and the bird glided off while we were still at 
some distance. Thirty sets of eggs were gathered, including several 
from the aforesaid lower Anderson ‘‘Barrens.’”’ (Macjarlane.) 
267. Whimbrel. 
Numentus pheopus (LINN.) LATH. 1787. 
Nearly a dozen examples sent from all parts of Greenland have 
been received at Copenhagen. Although Holbcell doubts its doing 
so, Prof. Reinhardt thinks that this species may breed in Greenland. 
(Arct. Man.) An example of this species was shot near Assuk, 
Greenland, on May 25th, 1885. (Hagerup.) Winge believes that 
this species may sometimes breed in Greenland and cites many 
instances of its having been taken in recent years. 
268. Bristle-thighed Curlew. 
Numentus tahitiensis (GMEL.) RIDGW. 1880. 
On May 24th, 1880, a pair of these birds settled near by, where 
I was shooting black brant, on a rising stretch of land covered with 
large tussocks. I secured the male, which was in fine plumage, but 
could not find the female, although mortally wounded. This is the 
second known instance of this bird’s occurrence on the shores of 
Alaska, the former record resting on the capture of a specimen at 
Kadiak island by Bischoff. (Nelson.) 
