314 
ESQUIMAUX CURLEW. 
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 
6th, when they all disappeared, being on their way from their 
northern breeding place.” Pie adds, 66 they kept on the open 
grounds, fed on the Empetrum nigrum , and were very fat and 
