THE BIRD BOOK 
266. Eskimo Curlew. Numenius borealis. 
Eskimo Curlew. 
Range. — Eastern North America, breeding in 
the Arctic regions and wintering in South 
America; migrating through the eastern half 
of the United States, more abundantly in the 
interior than on the coast. 
A still smaller species than the last (length 
14 inches) and very similar to it. A few years 
ago this was considered the most abundant of 
the curlews, but so persistently have they been 
hunted that they are now practically extermin- 
ated. They were the most unsuspicious of the 
shore birds, and would allow the near approach 
of the gunner, and the penalty may now be 
seen. Only a short while ago they were very 
often found, during migration, in company with 
ether waders such as the Golden or Black- 
bellied Plovers. Their nests are simply hollows 
in the plains, lined with a few grasses, dried 
leaves, or moss. The three or four eggs are the 
same as the last for color but are smaller; 
size 2.00 x 1.45. 
[267-] Whimerel. Numenius phaeopus. 
A European species casually appearing in Greenland; very similar to the 
Hudsonian Curlew, but with the rump white. 
This species is known as the 
Jack Curlew in England and 
Scotland, where it is very abund- 
ant, and is a favorite game bird. 
It breeds in the northern parts 
of Europe and Asia, and in the 
extreme north of Scotland and 
on the Shetkmd Islands. The 
eggs are laid in hollows on thb 
ground on higher parts of the 
marshes. The three or four eggs 
have an olive or greenish brown 
color and are blotched with dark 
brown. Size 2.30 x 1.60. Data. — 
Native, Iceland, May 29, 1900. 
Six eggs. Nest a depression in 
the ground, lined with dried 
grass. Olive brown. 
[268.] Bristle-thighed Curlew. Numenius tahitiensis. 
Range. — Islands and coast on the Asiatic side of the Pacific; casually found 
in Alaska. A very peculiar species with many of the feathers on the flanks 
terminating in long bristles. 
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