NUMENIUS BOREALIS : ESKIMO CURLEW. 251 



fore breast with dusky streaks which, as in other species, change 

 to arrow-heads or incomplete bars on sides of breast and body. 

 Bill blackish, some part of lower mandible pale. 



A migratory species, occurring along the coast under 

 the same circumstances as the last, but more frequently 

 observed. Still it cannot be considered a common bird, 

 and it appears to be irregular, occurring at times in num- 

 bers, and again being seldom seen. Of its belonging to 

 the category of migrants there is no question ; still it 

 has been repeatedly found in summer. Dr. Merriam 

 notices (Rev. B. Conn., p. i66) the occurrence of many 

 individuals near Milford, Conn., in July ; of others 

 (p. 109) during the same month at South Hampton, Long 

 Island ; and others again near Saybrook, Conn., late in 

 August. Probably, however, it does not breed in New 

 England. 



The eggs resemble those of N. borealis rather than N. 

 longirostris, being in fact difficult to distinguish from 

 those of the former. Coues gives the measurements as 

 from 2.12 to 2.30 in length, by about 1.60 in breadth. 



ESKIMO CURLEW; DOUGH-BIRD. 



NuMENius BOREALIS {Forst.) Lath. 



Chars. Of smallest size in the genus, with shortest, slenderest and 

 least curved bill. Length, 12.00-15.00: wing under 9.00 ; tail, 

 3.00 ; tarsus, 2.00 or less ; bill, 2.00 or more, perhaps nearer 3.00. 

 General tone of plumage little rufescent, the under parts, and 

 the variegation of the upper parts, rather ochraceous than 

 rufous. Top of head variegated throughout, without median light 

 line, but with well-defined pale superciliary line. Upper parts 

 brownish-black, varied with ochraceous or very pale cinnamon- 



