BIRDS OF NOKTHEKN CANADA 443 



lower Anderson Eiver, where the Eskimos discovered some 

 thirteen or fourteen well identified nests, each holding four 

 eggs. The parent birds were seen, and several were shot and 

 snared. All species of curlew nest alike. Mr. Thompson 

 Seton has not mentioned it in his " Birds of Manitoba," nor 

 did Professor Macoun ever see it in any part of Western 

 Canada traversed by him. It was common at Fort Churchill 

 in 1884, acording to Dr. BeU, and Samuel Heame says it 

 was so on the shores of Hudson Bay in his time. It is 

 occasionally seen on the coast of British Columbia, but far 

 from common, as only two specimens are recorded as having 

 been taken. The chief breeding haunts of this bird seem 

 to be still unknown, but the fact of Hutchins speaking of it 

 shows that many of the eastern migrants must breed along 

 the south shore of Hudson Bay. The Ottawa Museum pos- 

 sesses three specimen skins, taken on the island at Toronto, 

 Ontario, by Mr. S. Herring. There are no eggs, however. 



266. Eskimo Cuelew — Numenius horealis (Eorster). 



This species breeds abundantly in the Barren Grounds 

 to the eastward of Eort Anderson, and, except when other- 

 wise described, these are the " Barrens " which are invari- 

 ably referred to right up to the Arctic Sea. The nests in 

 every observed instance were mere holes or depressions in the 

 ground. Great difficulty was frequently experienced in find- 

 ing them, as the eggs closely resembled the surrounding vege- 

 tation, and the mother, as a rule, glided away while we were 

 still at some distance from the nest. Thirty sets of eggs were 

 taken, including several received from aforesaid lower Ander- 

 son " Barrens." It may be here mentioned that among the 

 many melodious bird notes which always greet one while 

 traversing these grounds, especially on a fine sunshiny morn- 

 ing, none seem more joyous and pleasanter than the pro- 

 longed mellow whistle of the Eskimo curlew. It is not, 

 however, supposed to breed in Labrador. In August, 1884, 

 Dr. Bell found it in large numbers at Fort Churchill, 



