366 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



breed ; in August they return, to spend the winter in warmer 

 regions. Dr. Brewer tells me that he has seen large flocks of 

 them at Nahant, and they are offered for sale in the market in 

 Boston, at the close of the summer. The name curlew, is an 

 imitation of their cry of alarm, by counterfeiting which, the 

 fowler takes advantage of their sympathy, and brings them 

 within his fatal reach. 



The Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius Hudsonicus, passes the 

 winter at the south, and returns in the spring, on its way to 

 the north, where it breeds ; but in what place is not known. 

 Audubon could not find them at Labrador, nor learn that any 

 had ever been seen in that country. In August and September 

 they return, and many of them are shot in Boston harbor. 

 They are found in pastures as well as marshes, feeding on 

 grasshoppers and berries, till the time of their departure, when 

 they assemble in large flocks, preparatory to their migration. 



The Small Esquimaux Curlew, Numenius borealis, like the 

 preceding, go to the north in the spring. Though they abound- 

 ed at Labrador, Audubon found none remaining to breed there j 

 they also proceed beyond Hudson's Bay ; but Dr. Richardson 

 succeeded in finding a nest at Point Lake, in the month of 

 June. At the close of summer, these birds arrive in company 

 with the preceding, and feed, like them, in marshes and pas- 

 tures. They are also valued as game. Though sufficiently 

 common here, this bird is hardly ever seen in the southern 

 states, which it must pass through or pass over in its annual 

 flight. Even Audubon, before he went to Labrador, had never 

 seen more than a single specimen, furnished by Mr. Oakes, of 

 this State. 



The Curlew Sandpiper. Tringa subarquata, is an exceed- 

 ingly rare bird ; inserted here, because Audubon tells us that 

 of the few specimens which he has ever seen, two were pro- 

 cured in Boston. 



