VICTORIA, B. C. 39 



NUMENIUS. (Brisson). 

 Long-billed Curlew (Numenius longirostris, Wils). 



This bird is by no means confined to the vicinity of the water, 

 but on the contrary is often seen on extensive, dry plains, where it 

 feeds on various molluscs, insects and berries, which it deftly secures 

 with its extraordinarily long bill. The length and curve of this 

 member, measuring sometimes eight or nine inches in length, gives 

 the bird a singular and unmistakable appearance, either in flight 

 or when gathering its food. Its voice is sonorous and not at all 

 musical ; during the breeding season in particular its harsh cries of 

 alarm resound when the safety of its nest or young is threatened. 

 In the fall, when food is plenty, it becomes very fat and affords deli- 

 cate eating. Rare on the Coast, but more common in the interior 

 of the Mainland, south through the Okanagan. 



Hudsonian Curlew (Numenius hudsonicus, Lath). 



Not common on Island and Mainland. Taken at Clayoquot, 

 Port Simpson and at Cadboro Bay, near Victoria. 



FAMILY CHARADRIID^E. PLOVERS, Etc. 



CHARADRIUS. (Linnaeus). 

 Black-bellied Plover (Charadrius squatarola, Linn). 



Abundant during migration along the Coast. Taken at Chilli- 

 whack and Okanagan. 



American Golden Plover (Charadrius dominions. Mull). 



Common on the Coast during migration. Taken at Chilli whack, 

 Okanagan, Metlakatla and Port Simpson. 



* Asiatic Golden Plover (Charadrius dominions fulvus, Gmel). 

 Found at Comox. 



^EGIALITIS. (Boie). 



Kildeer Plover (sEgialitis vocifera, Linn). 



Found throughout the Province. Taken at Chilliwhack and 

 Okanagan. 



Semipalmated Plover (sEgialitis semipalmata, Bonap). 



Not common. Taken on the West Coast of Vancouver Island at 

 Ucluelet and Clayoquot; also at Cadboro Bay, Victoria. 



