228 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Japanese specimens cannot be distinguished from others from India now before us, and arc 

 undoubtedly the species above named. This bird is smaller than Scolopax gallinago of Europe, 

 and has the bill shorter, a character very readily perceived on comparison, and so strong as 

 alone sufficient to establish a specific distinction. 



Both sexes are in the collection of the expedition, and are from Hakodadi. 



Mr. Heine observes: "These specimens were obtained by Lieut. Nicholson while engaged in 

 surveying. He found this snipe very numerous near the rocky shores northwest of the entrance 

 to the bay of Hakodadi. I had no opportunity of observing this species." 



NUMENIUS TAHITIENSIS, (Gmelin.) 



Scolopax tahitiensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 656, (1788.) 

 "Scolopax phjjopus, Linn, an?" Forster Desc. An., p. 242. 

 The tahitian curlew. 



Plate 3. — Adult male. 



Two specimens of this curlew are perhaps the most interesting birds in the present collection. 

 Both are labelled as having been obtained at Hakodadi in May, 1854, and are in good preser- 

 vation. 



On the faith of a description by Latham, in his " General Synopsis of Birds" III, p. 122, 

 under the head of "The Otaheite Curlew," Gmelin gives the above name. Latham described 

 from specimens in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, and undoubtedly from Otaheite. This 

 species, however, appears to have been lost sight of, though holding a nominal place in the 

 books, and doubtfully cited. 



The present specimens agree so nearly with all the descriptions, and especially with that of 

 Forster, as above cited, that we have no hesitation in applying to it this specific designation. 

 It is no more remarkable that this species should be found in the Japanese islands than the 

 well known extensive ranges of locality inhabited by other of the smaller species of this genus. 

 Numenius hudsonicus, for instance, very probably inhabits the entire seacoasts of both sides of 

 North and South America. 



This bird much resembles Numenius phceopus of the old world, as intimated by Forster. Both 

 specimens in the present collection are, however, smaller than any specimen of N. phceopus in 

 the museum of the Philadelphia Academy. The bill is about half an inch shorter, and not so 

 strong, and the wing is an inch shorter ; the tarsi, also, are shorter. 



The colors of the plumage are very similar in both species. In the specimens now before us, 

 the back and the exposed ends of the tertiaries are clearer brownish black than in N. phceopus, 

 and much less edged with cinereous. The shafts of the primaries are strong and flattened, and 

 clear white, very conspicuous on the outer surface of the first four, more so than in jV. phceopus. 



Mr. Heine's note relating to this species is as follows : 



"Abounds in the vicinity of Hakodadi. Large numbers may be seen either on the beach or 

 around the little ponds in the flats immediately adjoining the bay. They were usually searching 

 for food, and having made a successful dash at a small marine animal, announce that feat by a 

 long drawn plaintive cry. The flesh of this bird was very tender, and afforded an agreeable 

 addition to our mess stores." 



" Several specimens of this bird were obtained by Mr. Smith, private of the marine corps, 

 and myself." 



