354 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 



sort but nine and a half) and the wings extended are longer by five 

 inches." It is very possible that this may have been a Hudsonian 

 Curlew. 



Numenius borealis (Forst.). 

 Eskimo Curlew; "The Curlew"; "The Clew." 



Formerly an abundant but now a very rare autumn transient visitor; 

 July 28 to October 24. 



The Eskimo Curlew was formerly the most characteristic bird of 

 Labrador, where it was found in great multitudes during the autumn 

 migrations. 



Cartwright makes frequent reference to them in his journal, and 

 recorded their arrival and departure for many years. Thus on August 

 26, 1770, at Charles Harbor, he writes: "On some low hills, partly 

 barren, and the rest covered with small bad spruce-bushes were many 

 large flocks of curlews feeding on the berries, which were very plentiful 

 there; but could kill only one. The berries of the Empetrum Nigrum, 

 and likewise some delicious blue berries which grow on a small shrubby 

 plant, called Ground Whortle, both of which are now ripe, are what 

 the curlews delight to feed on. These not only make them uncom- 

 monly fat, but also give their flesh a most delicious flavor." In 

 another place he indulges in rhyme: 



"When August comes if on the Coast you be, 

 Thousands of fine Curlews, you'll daily see." 



The dates he gives of arrival and departure are as follows: August 

 4 to September 10, 1770; August 3, 1771; August 5 to October 2, 

 1772, and one which he shot near Chateau on October 24, 1772 

 August 4, 1774, at Mary Harbor; August 6 to September 18, 1776 

 July 28, 1777, this date he notes as being a few days earlier than usual 

 October 3, 1778; August 3, 1779; September 9, 1783; August 1, 

 1785; August 2, 1786. He gives no record of their appearance in 

 the spring, and as he was constantly in the field with gun in hand it is 

 probable that he would have noticed them if they were ever to be seen 

 at that season. It is well known that these curlews go north by the 

 Mississippi valley route. As Cartwright generally killed single birds 

 with his rifle, by knocking their heads off, his influence on their num- 

 bers could not have been very great. 



