Migratory Birds in British Guiana. 275 



The length of the bird is about from 14 to 16 inches, 

 the beak being about 3^ inches. The upper surface is 

 black or greyish brown, with more or less mottling or 

 edging of white and rufous. Beneath, the colour varies 

 from a deep chestnut with dusky bars to a grey or 

 streaked brownish tint, according to the season. 



The species is known to breed as far north as the 

 Ardlic regions of North America, and ranges in the 

 winter to the extreme south of South America. 



Easily distinguished from all the preceding by its long 

 and slender curved beak, is the Jack Curlew or American 

 Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus). 



This species is one of the commonest of our migrants, 

 being found plentifully during the winter months along 

 the mudflats and sandy banks of the coast, as well as on 

 the shores of the alluvial islands and along the estuaries 

 of the rivers. At all times of the day, but more especially 

 in the early morning and late evening, they will be found 

 feeding on the small fish, Crustacea, worms, etc., which 

 occur so plentifully on the flats. At such times they are 

 by no means shy, and can be shot with but little difficulty. 



This Curlew is larger than any of the other migrants 

 described, being about 16 inches in length. Its prevail- 

 ing colour above is brown with paler markings, and the 

 under surface white, with streaks and bars of brown. 

 The axillaries of the wings are reddish. 



This American species is very closely related to its 

 European representative, the Common Whimbrel, and in 

 fa6l it is distinguished by but slight chara6lers. It is 

 known to breed in the extreme north of North America, 

 and extends its southward range over the whole of South 

 America. It has even once been recorded from Spain. 



