ESQUIMAUX CURLEW. 323 



different : these reasons have determined its claim to that of an inde- 

 pendent species. 



The Short-billed Curlew arrives in large flocks on the seacoast of New 

 Jersey early in May from the south ; frequents the salt marshes, muddy 

 shores and inlets, feeding on small worms and minute shell-fish. They 

 are most commonly seen on mud flats at low water, in company with 

 various other waders ; and at high water roam along the marshes. 

 They fly high, and with great rapidity. A few are- seen in June, and 

 as late as the beginning of July, when they generally move ofl" towards 

 the north. Their appearance on these occasions is very interesting : 

 they collect together from the marshes as if by premeditated design, rise 

 to a great height in the air, usually about an hour before sunset, and 

 forming in one vast line, keep up a constant whistling on their march to 

 the north, as if conversing with one another to render the journey more 

 agreeable. Their flight is then more slow and regular, that the feeblest 

 may keep up with the line of march, while the glittering of their beauti- 

 fully speckled wings, sparkling in the sun, produces altogether a very 

 pleasant spectacle. 



In the month of June, while the dewberries are ripe, these birds 

 sometimes frequent the fields in company with the Long-billed Curlews, 

 where brambles abound, soon get very fat, and are at that time ex- 

 cellent eating. Those who wish to shoot them, fix up a shelter of brush- 

 wood in the middle of the field, and by that means \i\\ great numbers. 

 In the early part of spring, and indeed during the whole time that they 

 frequent the marshes, feeding on shell-fish, they are much less esteemed 

 for the table. 



I'ennant informs us, that they were seen in flocks innumerable on the 

 hills about Chatteux Bay, on the Labrador coast, from August the 9th 

 to September 6th, when they all disappeared, being on their way from 

 their northern breeding place. — He adds, " they kept on the open 

 grounds, fed on the empefrum nigrum, and were very fat and delicious." 

 They arrive at Hudson's Bay in April, or early in May ; pair and breed 

 to the north of Albany Fort among the woods, return in August to the 

 marshes, and all disappear in September.* About this time they return 

 in accumulated numbers to the shores of New Jersey, whence they 

 finally depart for the south early in November. 



The Esquimaux Curlew is eighteen inches long and thirty-two inches 

 in extent ; the bill, which is four inches and a half long, is black to- 

 wards the point, and a pale purplish flesh color near the base ; upper 

 part of the head dark brown, divided by a narrow stripe of brownish 

 white ; over each eye extends a broad line of pale drab ; iris dark 

 colored ; hind part of the neck streaked with dark brown, fore part, 



* Phil. Trans. LXII., 411. 



