536 THE ESKIMO CURLEW. 



gonia. This is the least known of our three recorded species of Numenius, 

 and its occurrence is nowhere counted upon by the sporting fraternity in the 

 state. The chief routes of migration follow pretty closely the east and west 

 coasts of our country, and the Mississippi Valley, but in the two latter regions 

 its numbers have very materially decreased. 



No. 251. 

 ESKIMO CURLEW. 



A. O. U. No. 266. Numenius borealis (Forst.). 



Synonym. DOUGH-BIRD. 



Description. Adult : Similar to preceding species, but smaller and colora- 

 tion heavier ; the ground color warm buff ; the back blackish ; streaking of neck, 

 etc., broader; the barring of under parts much more extensive, only middle of belly 

 and crissum immaculate; crown-stripes and line through eye not so distinct; pri- 

 maries not barred or mottled on inner webs, fuscous throughout; axillars deep 

 ochraceous-buff, barred and dusky; bill smaller every way. Length 12.00-14.50 

 (304.8-368.3) ; wing 8.30 (210.8) ; tail 3.10 (78.7) ; bill 2.30 (58.4) ; tarsus 1.65 

 (41.9). 



Recognition Marks. Little Hawk size; buffy and blackish, finely streaked 

 and mottled; small, decurved bill. An upland bird. 



Nesting. Does not breed in Ohio. Eggs, 3-4, "pale olive greenish, olive, 

 or olive brownish, distinctly spotted, chiefly on larger end, with deep or dark 

 brown." Av. size, 2.04 x 1.43 (51.8 x 36.3). (Ridgw.). 



General Range. Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, 

 and migrating south throughout South America. 



Range in Ohio. Rare migrant. 



GREATER abundance atones for the smaller size of this Curlew in 

 regions where it is regularly found at all. It moves up the Mississippi Val- 

 ley in immense flocks, deploying over the prairies, and keeping company with 

 such birds as the Bartramian Sandpiper and the Golden Plover. When feed- 

 ing in extensive companies the birds keep up a conversational chattering, which 

 Coues likens to that of a flock of Blackbirds. 



In Labrador, where these Curlews have been most closely studied, they 

 are found to feed largely upon the cow berry (Empetrum nigrum}, so greed- 

 ily, in fact that their plumage often becomes stained with its purple juice. 

 Upon this fare, together with a generous allowance of sea food in the shape 

 of snails, the birds become excessively fat, and are in prime condition for 

 the unreluctant gunner in August or early September. 



