180 RALLIDiE. 



shores of nearly all the lakes, and I have often seen 

 them on the sands in extraordinary abundance. Other 

 species of Sandpiper are also common in Canada. 



The Long-billed Curlew {Numenius longirostris) is also 

 very abundant, but it varies so greatly in size, colour, 

 and length of bill, that different specimens have often 

 been mistaken for different species or varieties. 



The Esquimaux Curlew (N. borealis of Latham, not 

 of Wilson) is smaller and has a shorter bill than the 

 above, nor is it so common. The upper parts are 

 brownish black, marked with dull yellow; the under 

 parts grey, with a reddish tinge; the neck, breast, and 

 sides are barred with dark brown. The tail is brown, 

 with black bands, and the bill dark and rather yellow at 

 the base; the legs dirty green. 



The American Rail {Rallus Virginianus) is an ex- 

 cellent little bird, its flesh much resembling that of the 

 woodcock, and deservedly ranks among the game of the 

 country. In size it is somewhat smaller than our Rail, 

 and its plumage is also rather different. The top of the 

 head is black, and the cheeks ash-coloured, with two 

 white marks on them ; the chin is also white. The upper 

 parts of the body are streaked with black and brown, 

 the throat and breast are bright brown, and there are 

 a few white feathers on the sides and wings. The bill 

 is red and the legs dark coloured. 



