The Hudsonian Curlew 



Distribution in California. — Abundant spring and fall migrant, chiefly coast- 

 wise, but also at various interior points: Dos Palos, May 22, 1914, May 22, 1916; 

 Salton Sea, Apr. 27, 1917; Bishop, May 29, 1919. Returns to (Ventura County) 

 coast by July 10th. Casual in winter: Santa Cruz Island, Dec. 8, 1907 (Linton); 

 Santa Barbara, Dec. 26, 1914. 



Authorities. — Cassin ( Numenius hudsonicus), in Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv., 

 vol. ix., 1858, p. 744 (Presidio); Grinnell, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. I, 1900, p. 27 

 (n. Alaska; breeding habits, nest, eggs, etc.); Tyler, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 9, 1913, 

 p. 30 (San Joaquin Valley; habits). 



KNOWN only as a migrant, the Hudsonian Curlew, or "Jack," as 

 he is affectionately called, is one of the most familiar and picturesque 

 features of California beach life. The Jacks are wary without being 

 unreasonable about it. A little artifice of approach will ensure a coveted 

 "specimen"; but slaughter is, fortunately, a difficult matter and the 

 price one inevitably pays for any display of firearms is the forfeiture of 

 Curlew confidence along that immediate stretch of coast. Since Jack's 

 tenure of the beaches is coincident with the period of our own greatest 

 interest, viz., in July and August, it is rather important that we under- 

 stand each other. The Curlews ask only to be let alone, and if one will 

 really mind his own business while at the beach, he may have most 

 rewarding views of these feathered gentry as they sidle toward the quiet 

 watcher, or "cross his bows" between the upper beach and the surf. 



?"*■ % * 't 



Taken near Santa Barbara 



1286 



TWO SANDERLINGS ARE INCLUDED 



Photo by the Author 



