312 
PRJECOCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOL^E. 
verse and confluent bands of brownish black, most numerous and predominating on the back and 
scapulars ; secondary quills, under wing-coverts, and axillaries, bright rufous ; primaries with their 
outer webs brownish black and their inner webs rufous, with transverse bands of black. Under 
parts pale rufous, with longitudinal lines of black on the neck and sides ; tail rufous, tinged with 
ashy, transversely barred with brownish black. Specimens vary to some extent in the shade of 
the rufous color of the plumage, and very much in the length of the bill. The rufous color is 
probably more distinct in the young. Total length about 25.00 inches ; extent, about 40.00 ; 
wing, 10.00-11.00 ; tail, 4.00 ; bill, 2.30 (immature individual) to 8.50 ; tarsus, 2.25. Bill black, 
becoming dull light lilac-brown on basal half of the mandible ; iris brown; legs and feet gray. 
Downy young: Very pale ochraceous, with a tinge of sulphur-yellow, rather deeper below than 
above. Upper parts marbled coarsely and rather irregularly with black. Bill straight, about 1.40 
inches long. 
The Long-billed Curlew has a general but irregular distribution over North America, 
from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic. In the 
Eastern States, though occasionally seen in considerable numbers, it is of uncertain 
and irregular appearance. It is common on the prairies of the Western States, and 
is more abundant on the Pacific than on the Atlantic coast. It is not known with 
certainty ever to visit the Fur Region, nor has it been met with in Alaska, or 
on the Pacific coast north of Vancouver Island, in which latter place its presence is 
recorded by Mr. R. Browne. 
Dr. Cooper mentions finding 'the young of this species, common on the Plains of 
the Upper Missouri, in June. The same writer states that it abounds in California 
during the cooler months ; and as it is to be found in that State in small numbers 
during May and June, while the young make their appearance in July at San Pedro, 
he considers it probable that some breed about the lakes in the interior, especially in 
the northeastern portions of California, where, indeed, this species was noticed by 
Dr. Newberry in summer. It seems, however, probable that it migrates directly 
south from its summer resorts to San Pedro, as it is rarely seen at San Francisco 
before September ; after which, however, it remains throughout the winter. Columbia 
River is about the limit of its northern range along the coast, and it is not common 
there. In California, as also elsewhere, it frequents dry plains and pastures quite as 
much as it does the marshes, and flocks may be found throughout the valleys during 
the winter. It feeds quite as much on grasshoppers and other insects as on worms 
and small crabs. It is very shy and watchful, especially on the dry and open plains, 
where artifice is usually necessary to obtain it, and it can often be allured within 
gunshot by an imitation of its cries, which are usually whistling notes, loud and 
variable in character. In California this bird is regarded as excellent eating. 
Dr. Pickering mentions finding it in Oregon in June, 1841, where large numbers 
had taken up their residence in the grassy Hats and plains, and were undoubtedly 
breeding. He describes its note as being a sort of whistle, not unlike the w r ord cur- 
lew, with the last syllable much prolonged, and uttered more quickly, and in a more 
complaining tone when the bird is flying overhead. In one instance he noticed this 
bird alighting in the top of a tree during a rain, and frequently repeating its note. 
Once he saw it attack and chase a Hawk, which retreated quite precipitately. In its 
habits and general appearance it reminded him of the Cayenne Lapwing as seen in 
South America ; subsequently, in the month of October, Dr. Pickering also met with 
it in large numbers in California. 
Captain Bendire, in his “Notes on the Birds of Eastern Oregon,” mentions this 
species as a common summer resident, breeding abundantly. It often nests in wet 
and partly flooded meadows. In the spring of 1S76 he found three sets partly cov- 
