340 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



on Long Island begin sometimes as early as the 2d of July, but usually from 

 the 1 8th to the 25th, and the last birds are seen from the i6th to the 30th 

 of September, the largest flights usually occurring between August ist 

 and September loth. In the spring this species is rarely seen, but Mr 

 Butcher's Notes show that the migration occurs between the 6th and the 

 30th of May. In the interior of New York, the Jack curlew is less common 

 than along the coast, the following being the definite records: 



Brockport, N. Y. Oct. 10, 1880. (3). David Bruce 



Union Springs, N. Y. 1882. R. B. Hough 



Yates CO., N. Y. May 1884. (13). Verdi Burtch 



West Seneca, Erie co., N. Y. Aug. 24, i88q. James Savage 



Lake Ontario, N. Y. Sept. 10, 1889, David Bruce 



Branchport, N. Y. May 29-June 2, 1895. (5). C. F. Stone 



Canandaigua, N. Y. May 30, 1897. (Several). Hallenbeck and Newman 



Orleans co., N. Y. Sept. 1897. Posson, Auk, 16:195 



Oneida Lake, N. Y. Sept. 5, 1899. Bagg, Auk, 17:177 



In Giraud's day this species was less abundant than the Long-billed 

 curlew on Long Island, bvit the reverse is now the case. In fact it is the 

 only curlew that we have at the present day. It is easy to see why the 

 Long-billed curlew diminished in numbers as its nesting grounds have been 

 largely destroyed by the settlement of the west and northwest, but the 

 present species, breeding practically beyond the disturbing influence of 

 mankind, is likely to be preserved for many years to come. 



The Jack, or Short-billed curlew, as the gunners call this bird, has an 

 easy, steady flight, rarely soaring except when about to alight, or suddenly 

 arrested by an imitation of its whistle. Like the Long-billed curlew, it 

 exhibits much sympathy for wounded companions, often sacrificing its life 

 by returning in answer to their cries. Its flesh is much inferior to that of 

 the Eskimo curlew, being quite unpalatable, except in the fall when it has 

 fed for some time on berries and grasshoppers. 



When the amateur bird student first meets with this species, he is 

 apt to V)elieve he has seen a Long-billed curlew, its size and long bill, though 

 much inferior to that species, being quite impressive when compared with 

 our commoner shore birds. 



