318 ESQUIMAUX CURLEW. 



bent, and nearly an inch and a half longer ; and the manners, 

 in certain particulars, very different : these reasons have deter- 

 mined its claim to that of an independent species. 



The short-billed curlew arrives in large flocks on the sea- 

 coast of New Jersey early in May, from the south, frequents 

 the salt marshes, muddy shores and inlets, feeding on small 

 worms and minute shell-fish. They are most commonly seen 

 on mud flats at low water, in company with various other 

 waders, and at high water roam along the marshes. They 

 fly high, and with great rapidity. A few are seen in June, 

 and as late as the beginning of July, when they generally 

 move off towards the north. Their appearance on these occa- 

 sions is very interesting : they collect together from the marshes 

 as if by premeditated design, rise to a great height in the air, 

 usually about an hour before sunset, and forming in one vast 

 line, keep up a constant whistling on their way to the north, 

 as if conversing with one another to render the journey more 

 agreeable. Their flight is then more slow and regular, that 

 the feeblest may keep up with the line of march ; while the 

 glittering of their beautifully speckled wings, sparkling in the 

 sun, produces altogether a very pleasing spectacle. 



In the month of June, while the dew-berries are ripe, these 

 birds sometimes frequent the fields, in company with the 

 long-billed curlews, where brambles abound ; soon get very 

 fat, and are at that time excellent eating. Those who wish 

 to shoot them fix up a shelter of brushwood in the middle 

 of the field, and by that means kill great numbers. In the 

 early part of spring, and indeed during the whole time that 

 they frequent the marshes feeding on shell-fish, they are 

 much less esteemed for the table. 



Pennant informs us that the Esquimaux curlews " were 

 seen in flocks innumerable on the hills about Chatteaux Bay, 

 on the Labrador coast, from August the 9th to September the 

 6th, when they all disappeared, being on their way from their 

 northern breeding place." He adds, " They kept on the open 

 grounds, fed on the Empetrum nigrum, and were very fat and 



