468 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 



transverse bars of pale ashy-brown ; bill brownish-black ; base of lower mandible 

 reddish-yellow; legs greenish-brown; specimens vary in the shade of the lighter 

 colors of the plumage and in the length of the bill; iris brown. 



Smaller, and with the colors different from the preceding. This bird is repre- 

 sented as abundant in the northern regions of this continent, but is much less 

 frequent in the United States than the preceding. 



Total length, about eighteen inches; wing, nine; tail, four; bill, three to four; 

 tarsus, two and a quarter inches. 



Hab. Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America; California (Mr. Cas- 



This species is rare in New England. I have never met 

 with it alive, and will have to depend upon the observations 

 of others. Wilson says, 



" The Short-billed Curlew arrives in large flocks on the seacoast 

 of New Jersey early in May, from the South ; frequents the salt 

 marshes, muddy shores, and inlets, feeding on small worms and 

 minute shell-fish. They are most commonly seen on mud-flats at low 

 water, in company with various other Waders ; and, at high water, 

 roam along the marshes. They fly high, and with great rapidity. 

 A few are seen in June, and as late as the beginning of July, when 

 they generally move off toward the North. Their appearance on 

 these occasions is very interesting : they collect together from the 

 marshes, as if by premeditated design, rise to a great height in 

 the air, usually an hour before sunset; and, forming in one vast 

 line, keep up a constant whistling on their way to the north, as 

 if conversing with one another to render the journey more agree- 

 able." 



Nuttall says, 



" From the middle of August to the beginning of September, 

 they arrive in the vicinity of Massachusetts Bay and other parts of 

 New England, frequenting the pastures as well as marshes, and 

 fatten on grasshoppers and berries till the time of their departure, 

 about the close of September." 



