52 
77//; BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
IN u m en ins longirostris Wills. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. 
This is one of the species of birds that have been almost 
entirely driven out of Wisconsin. Formerly not only common, 
but abundant, it is now so rare as to merit a special notice when 
found. During the forties, fifties and sixties it bred in suitable 
localities in different parts of the state. The last exact date of 
which we have any record for eggs is May, 1859, although it 
undoubtedly bred at a much later date in less thickly settled 
parts. From 1800 to 1890 it decreased rapidly, and when 
found at all it was as a migrant only. During the past ten 
years we have seen but two or three flocks on the prairie, in 
spring. As an illustration of the former numbers of the curlew 
Mr. Skavlem tells of his boyhood experiences, in the early 
fifties, when he was set to following the plows when breaking 
up the virgin prairie sod, and gathering up the eggs for the 
house. The curlew will not stay long on cultivated ground, 
but leaves with the disappearance of the original prairie sod. 
Numenins liudsonieus Lath. HUDSONIAN CURLEW. 
From 1845 to about 1865 this species was fairly common 
during migrations in the prairie regions. Dr. Hoy writes of 
finding a few nesting at Fox Lake, June 15, 1848, and Thure 
Kumlien found the birds in summer in Dane County, and from 
their actions supposed them to be nesting. We have no 
positive evidence, however, that the species ever bred in the 
state. It has certainly been decidedly rare during the past 
thirty years even in migrations, and we have not seen a single 
specimen for twelve years. "Curlews" are still reported from 
sections in the northwestern part of the state, but whether of 
this species or the foregoing is an unsettled question. 
Xiimeiiius boron I is (Forst.). ESKIMO CURLEW. 
Exceedingly rare migrant. Thure Kumlien procured but 
two specimens during fifty years collecting in the State. 
Dr. Hoy took several in an early day, but considered them 
rare. A specimen, which we saw, was also shot in Green Bav 
in the fall of 1879. 
FAMILY CHARADRIID/E: PLOVERS. 
Sqatarola squatarola (Linn.). BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. 
Migrant, never very abundant, but occurring singly or in 
small flocks, both spring and fall. Generally visits southern 
Wisconsin about the middle of May, among the large flights 
