150 
265. Hudsonian Curlew. Numenius hudsonicus. L, 17. A smaller Curlew than 
the last, but a larger one than the next. A very large Shore Bird of general buffy colour 
with long, decurved bill. It varies considerably in over-all length, owing to growth of bill. 
Buffy below, creamy rather than pinkish, whitening on throat and face. Above, rather 
faded brown, more or less intermixed with the buffy of below. Brown barring the flanks 
and striping the breast up the neck to face. u v. 
Distinctions. With the Eskimo Curlew superficially distinguished from the Long- 
billed by being more olivaceous than pinkish in general cast and more heavily striped on 
breast and throat. The Hudsonian Curlew has saw-tooth markings on the primaries like 
the Long-billed; barred axillars like the Eskimo, but with a pronounced light median 
crown stripe, absent in either of the others (Figure 175, compare with 174 and 176). This 
combination of characters is always determinative. A Curlew with bill under 4 and over 
2*4 is likely to be this species. 
Field Marks. Large size, buffy colour, and long decurved bill for a Curlew. Owing to 
distribution not likely to be mistaken for any other species, as it does not occur commonly 
in Canada where Long-billed may be expected. It is, however, a smaller bird than that 
species; less pink and more olive-brown. The colour characters are especially con- 
spicuous on the underwing surface in flight. The Eskimo Curlew is too rare a bird today 
and too similar to be separated from the Hudsonian in life, by field observation. 
Distribution. North and South America. Breeds on the northwest coast of Alaska 
and the coast of Mackenzie. Migrates through the big lakes of Mackenzie and eastern 
Canada and along the Pacific coast. Not noted, as yet, in the interior of British Columbia 
and only a few times in the Prairie Provinces. 
266. Eskimo Curlew. Nuntenius borealis. L, 13-50. The smallest of our Curlews, 
almost identical in general form and colour with the Hudsonian. 
Figure 176 
Specific details of Eskimo Curlew; scale, J. 
a, barred axillars; 6, crown without median stripe; 
e, profile of head; d, plain first primary. 
Distinctions. Like the Hudsonian but smaller, crown mottled but without well- 
defined median stripe, primaries plain without saw-tooth pattern and axillars barred 
(Figure 176, compare with 174 and 175). This combination of characters is determinative. 
A Curlew with bill under 2-25 is probably this species. 
Field Marks. Like a very small Hudsonian Curlew, but too rare today to be recorded 
on field identification. 
Distribution. North and South America. Breeds on the Barren-grounds of Mac- 
kenzie, migrates through eastern Canada and down the Mississippi valley. We have no 
actual records for our Prairie Provinces, but these Curlews have been taken on Great 
Slave lake and were once numerous in the Missouri River region. 
Once noted for their vast numbers, and Audubon compared the flocks 
with those of Passenger Pigeons. Now nearly extinct. No doubt market 
hunting in the southern States was an important factor in their depletion 
as they were marketed from the Gulf Coast regions by the hundreds of 
dozen brace. As in many such cases the bird seemed to disappear suddenly, 
about 1892, and it was not until it was practically gone that any general 
