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season (Tr. Chicago Acad. i. p. 293). The strictly hyperborean breeding-range is further sub- 

 stantiated by the fact that even in Labrador the bird is only known during migrations. 



" Westward of the Eocky Mountains the records, so far at least as I know them, are silent. 

 In other portions of the continent, they are numerous but disconnected, though we may, perhaps, 

 string them together intelligibly. We first observe that from its Arctic breeding-grounds the 

 bird pours in countless thousands southward along the Atlantic coast, reaching Labrador early 

 in August, fairly swarming there for a month, and then departing. This is, in fact, one of the 

 earliest items [Pennant &c), already ' classic,' and since amply confirmed. From Labrador and 

 Newfoundland the hordes sweep southward, along the Atlantic coast, in September ; but what 

 becomes of them is the question. As I remarked on a former occasion (Pr. Essex Inst. v. 1868, 

 p. 296) in giving the bird as a New-England migrant, ' it is singular that this species should not 

 be abundant in New England, considering the almost incredible numbers that take their depar- 

 ture for the south from Labrador in early autumn.' This is supported by abundant testimony. 

 Thus Mr. G. A. Boardman says it is a ' rare ' migrant at Calais, Maine (Pr. Bost. Soc. ix. p. 129). 

 Mr. J. A. Allen makes the same remark, referring to the Massachusetts coast (Pr. Ess. Inst. iv. 

 p. 87). Still southward, the Rev. Dr. Turnbull says it is 'rather rare' on the New Jersey coast 

 (B. East Penns. and N. J. 1869, p. 33). We may gather from such indications (which could 

 be multiplied were this desirable) that the Curlew passes swiftly on to fulfil the conditions of 

 its autumnal impulse, and to settle at once in its winter quarters. With so much for the 

 Atlantic coast-line of migration, we will turn to the interior; for the bird is by no means 

 exclusively maritime at any season. We note it from the Upper Missouri river, where, says 

 Dr. Hayden, our principal authority on the region, ' it is not uncommon .... our specimens 

 were taken near Fort Union' (Rep. on Geol. &c. 1862, p. 175). Mr. J. W. Wheaton includes 

 it among the birds of Ohio, but without comment (Ohio Eep. Agric. for 1860). Mr. Allen 

 found it migrating in Kansas in June (Bull. M. C. L. iii. 1872, p. 181). You are yourself, 

 of course, personally informed of the occurrence of the bird in Texas. Audubon mentioned 

 this locality in giving what appears to be, on the whole, a good summary of the distribution of 

 the species (B. Amer. vi. p. 48). ' Passes in spring from Texas along the coast eastward to the 

 Fur Countries, returning in autumn. Abundant at times in the Middle Atlantic districts. 

 Barely seen in the interior. Breeds in the Northern Barren Grounds.' 



" It is stated by Mr. Allen {op. et loc. cit.) that this Curlew is seen ' occasionally in winter 

 on the coast ' of Massachusetts — an assertion which I scarcely doubt ; for Mr. Allen is thoroughly 

 reliable, but which, I will add, is unchecked by other observations. The same writer includes 

 it among the winter-birds of Florida (Bull. M. C. Z. ii. 1871, p. 356), but mainly, it appears, upon 

 the strength of my own statement (Pr. Bost. Soc. xii. 1868, p. 123) of its occurrence at that 

 season in South Carolina, adding, very properly, that the species is known to range in winter 

 southward into the tropics. But I am not entirely satisfied that my information was sufficient ; 

 and, for all that appears, we may believe that the Esquimaux Curlew, as a rule at least, with- 

 draws entirely from the United States in the fall, to enter it again in the spring. Of its extra- 

 limited occurrences I have nothing to say ; but doubtless some of your other correspondents- 

 very likely our mutual friend Mr. Salvin — will supply the desired information." 



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