i7« British Birds, with their Nests and Eggs 



J^a}?nlj—SCOL OP A CID.^. 



Eskimo Curlew. 



Ahtvicnius borealis, J. A. FoRSTER. 



THIS small American Curlew — obviously related to tlie still smaller Eastern 

 Asiatic N. miniitus, which, it resembles in size, shape, and colour — breeds 

 throughout Arctic North America, and winters in South America, chiefly on the 

 eastern side. Three examples have been shot in Scotland, one in Ireland, and 

 three in England. It occurs in Greenland, though not abundantly, wlience 

 probably it makes its way to our shores. 



It may be distinguished from other species which visit us by its small size; 

 general warm rufescent colour ; primaries with no whitish saw-tooth pattern on 

 the inner web (but just a trace of freckling) ; and rump and lower back of exactly 

 the same colour as the rest of the upper parts; but especially by the axillaries, 

 which are of warm rufous, barred with dark brown. Length 13^ inches (of which 

 bill if), closed wing 8 to 8|. Bill over 2\ inches. 



The Asiatic N. minutus (which might visit us, though it is not as yet known 

 to have done so) can be at once detected by its legs, which have transverse scales 

 in front and behind the tarsus, whilst N'. borealis has small hexagonal scales 

 behind; moreover, the axillaries and under wing coverts of the latter species are 

 buff, rather than warm rufous. 



The present species bears a certain superficial resemblance, also, to Bartramia 

 longicaiida, which might be a difficulty to a beginner. The bill of the latter is 

 much shorter, however (only ij inch), and its white axillaries barred with black, 

 will separate it instantly from the Eskimo Curlew. 



END OF VOLUME FIVE. 



BRUMBY AND CI^ARKK, I<TD., PRINTERS, HUI,I< AND LONDON. 



