312 PK^COCIAL GEALLATORBS — LIMICOL^. 



verse aucl confluent bands of Lrowmsb lilack, most numerous and predominating on the back and 

 scapulars ; secondary quills, under wing-coverts, and axilluries, bright rufous ; primaries with their 

 outer webs brownish black and their inner webs rufous, with transverse bands of black. Under 

 parts pale rufous, with longitudinal lines of black on the neck and sides ; tail rufous, tinged with 

 ashy, transversely barred with brownish black. Sijecimeus vary to some extent in the shade of 

 the rufous color of the plumage, and very much in the length of the bill. The I'ufous color is 

 probably more distinct in the young. Total length about 25.00 inches ; extent, about 40.00 ; 

 wing, 10.00-11.00 ; tail, 4.00 ; bill, 2.30 (immature individual) to 8.50 ; tarsus, 2.25. Bill black, 

 becoming dull light lilac-brown on basal half of the mani.lible ; iris brown ; legs and feet gray. 



Downy young : Very pale ochraceous, with a tinge of sulphur-yellow, rather deeper below than 

 above. Upper parts marbled coarsely and rather irregularly with black. Bill straight, about 1.40 

 inches long. 



The Long-billed Curlew lias a general but irregular distribution over North America, 

 from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada, and from tlie Pacific to the Atlantic. In the 

 Eastern States, though occasionally seen in considerable numbers, it is of uncertain 

 and irregular appearance. It is common on the prairies of the Western States, and 

 is more abundant on the Pacific than on the Atlantic coast. It is not known with 

 certainty ever to visit the Fur Kegion, nor has it been met with in Alaska, or 

 on the Pacific coast north of Vancouver Island, in which latter place its presence is 

 recorded by Mr. E. Browne. 



Dr. Cooper mentions finding the young of this species, common on the Plains of 

 the Upper Missouri, in June. The same writer states that it abounds in California 

 during the cooler mouths ; and as it is to be found in that State in small numbers 

 during May and June, wliile the young make their appearance iu July at San Pedro, 

 he considers it probable that some breed about the lakes in the interior, especially in 

 the northeastern portions of California, where, indeed, this species was noticed by 

 Dr. Xewberry in summer. It seems, however, probable that it migrates directly 

 south from its summer resorts to San Pedro, as it is rarely seen at San Prancisco 

 before September ; after which, however, it remains throughout the winter. Columbia 

 Eiver is about the limit of its northern range along the coast, and it is not common 

 there. In California, as also elsewhere, it frequents dry plains and pastures quite as 

 much as it does the marshes, and flocks may be found throughout the valleys during 

 the winter. It feeds quite as much on grasshoppers and other insects as on worms 

 and small crabs. It is very shy and watchful, especially on the dry anil open plains, 

 where artifice is usually necessary to obtain it, and it can often be allured within 

 gunshot by an imitation of its cries, which are usually whistling notes, loud and 

 variable in character. In California this bird is regarded as excellent eating. 



Dr. Pickering mentions finding it in Oregon in June, 1841, where large numbers 

 had taken up their residence in the grassy flats and plains, and were undoubtedly 

 breeding. He describes its note as being a sort of whistle, not unlike the word cur- 

 leu; with the last syllable much prolonged, and uttered more (piickly. ami in a more 

 complaining tone when the bird is flying overhead. In one instance he noticed this 

 bird alighting in the top of a tree during a rain, and frequently repeating its note. 

 Once he saw it attack and chase a Hawk, which retreated quite precipitately. In its 

 habits and general appearance it reminded him of the Cayenne Lapwing as seen in 

 South America ; subsequently, in the month of October, Dr. Pickering also met with 

 it in large nrmibers in California. 



Captain Bendire, in his "Notes on the Birds of Eastern Oregon," mentions this 

 species as a common summer resident, breeding abundantly. It often nests in wet 

 and partly flooded meadows. In the spring of 1876 he found three sets partly cov- 



