221 



NUMENIUS BOKEALIS. 



(ESQUIMAUX CURLEW.) 



Scolopax borealis, Forst. Phil. Trans, lxii. p. 411 (1772). 



Numenius borealis, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. p. 712 (1790). 



Numenius brevirostris, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 74 (1823). 



Numenius microrhynchusl, Phillippi & Landb. Wiegm. Arch. 1866, p. 129. 



Figures notabiles. 

 Temm. PI. Col. v. pi. 381 ; Sw. and Eich. Faun. Bor.-Am. p. 378, pi. lxv. ; Aud. B. Am. 

 fol. pi. 208, et ed. 8vo, \i. pi. 357. 



Ad. supra brunneus, dorsi plumis fulvo minute maculatis, scapularibus et secundariis intimis magis distincte 

 fulvo marginaliter notatis : collo postico fulvescentiore, plumis medialiter brunneis, utrinque fulvo 

 late marginatis : tectricibus alarum remigibusque brunneis, extiis dilute fulvo limbatis, secundariis 

 scapularibus que concoloribus et eodem modo maculatis : supracaudabbus et rectricibus alterne fulvo et 

 brunneo transfasciatis : pileo summo saturate brunneo, vertice mediabter fulvo : supercilio distincto 

 fulvescenti-albido : facie laterali et collo undique lsete fulvescentibus brunneo lineatis : genis gulaque 

 albis : corpore rehquo subtus lsete fulvescente, pectore et hypochondriis fasciis fulvis sagittiformibus 

 distincte notatis : subalaribus et axillaribus fulvescenti-rufis, brunneo transfasciatis : rostro brunnes- 

 centi-nigro, mandibula, ad basin flavicanti-carnea, : pedibus virescenti-brunneis : hide nigra. 



Adult Male (Labrador, 23rd of August) . Crown dark umber-brown, marked bere and there, especially on 

 the forehead and along the centre, with creamy buff; neck, back, and scapulars dark umber, the 

 feathers of the first broadly margined with dull creamy white, those on the back and scapulars 

 margined and notched with dull cream-colour, the latter washed with pale rufous, quills dark earth- 

 brown, shafts white ; the upper wing-coverts being margined with greyish brown ; tail dull brown, 

 sbghtly washed with rufous and barred with dark umber-brown ; sides of the face white, with small 

 stripes of dark brown; a dark bne passing through and behind the eye, throat pure white ; breast and 

 underparts generally pale rufous-buff, the centre of the abdomen being almost white, and the flanks 

 rufous, the upper part of the breast marked with dark brown stripes, which on the lower portion of 

 the breast and on the flanks are for the most part V-shaped ; under wing-coverts and axillaries rich 

 rufous, barred with blackish brown ; under tail-coverts rufous-buff, likewise barred with dark brown ; 

 beak brownish black ; base of under mandible yellowish flesh-colour ; legs greenish brown ; his black. 

 Total length 135 inches, wing 8'0, tail 3 - 4, tarsus l - 8. 



Obs. Wilson's Scolopax borealis is the American Whimbrel (N. hudsonicus) ; and all he observes of its 

 abundance and habits in the Middle States refers to the latter species, although his quotations of 

 Pennant relate to the N. borealis. He uses, indeed, the words " Esquimaux " and " Short-billed " 

 Curlew, quotes references to the true borealis &c. ; but his description (18 inches long and 32 in 

 extent ; bill 4£ inches) is obviously that of N. hudsonicus. — Dr. Coues in epist. 



Like other American species which have from time to time been obtained on this side of the 



2c 



