The Long-billed Curlew 



coast and in some of our interior valleys. A diminishing few remain to 

 breed in the plateau counties of the extreme northeast, but there appears 

 to be only one authentic record of eggs taken within the limits of the State. 



Those that winter with us upon the beaches associate more or less 

 with "Jacks," Phceopus hudsonicus, and Marbled Godwits. From the 

 latter they may, of course, be readily distinguished by their longer, 

 decurved beaks; and from the former not alone by the bill, but by a 

 different way of carrying it. The Long-bill, having an easier reach, 

 does not stoop so abjectly in gleaning sand-fleas; and at rest he stands 

 habitually more upright, with head thrown further back, a position 

 necessitated by the increased weight of the bill. The Long-bills have 

 much the same habits as the Jacks, feeding and resting upon the upper 

 beach, and running down to the water's edge when frightened. 



Now that the persecution of gun-fire is measurably reduced, owing to 

 federal enactment, our Shore-birds would get on well enough with us 

 humans, if only we would play fair. But what elemental savage, however 

 well dressed, can abide the presence of possible meat stalking in wary 

 dignity before his face and eyes? "Sniping" still goes on remorselessly; 

 and if guns are not at hand, stones suffice to keep the birds in an agitated 

 condition. Saddest of all is the relentless usurpation of the shore-line. 

 We must, forsooth, see every wave there is to see, either from the depths 

 of our whirring limousines or from improvised lunching stations. The 

 result is that there is scarcely a square yard from Point Conception 

 to San Diego that a bird dare call its own, or upon which it is free from 

 noise, fright, or stealthy attack. Yet in this thoughtless usurpation we 



m* 



V 



Taken near Santa Barbara 

 Pholo by the Author 



A GROUP OF LONG-BILLED CURLEWS 



ALSO CONTAINS TWO MARBLED GODWITS 



1283 



