CURLEW 
189 
264. Long-billed Curlew, sickle-billed curlew, le courlis a long bec. 
Numenius americanus. L, 24. The largest of our waders, varying considerably in length 
owing to the growth of the long, decurved bill. All below pale, pink-buffy, lightening to 
cream on throat and face. Flanks lightly striped with brown which extends sparsely 
across breast and more thickly and finely up and around neck to face and crown. Above, 
dark brown and the same pink-buffy of the lower parts in complicated mottlihg and barring. 
d. 
Figure 270 
Specific details of Long-billed Curlew; scale, f. 
a, plain axillars; b, crown without median stripe; 
c, profile of head; d, tooth-marked first primary. 
Distinctions. The long, decurved bill and buffv coloration are distinctive of the 
curlews. Too large to be confused with the Eskimo Curlew, but very similar and at times 
nearly intergrading in length with the Hudsonian. Its distinctive characters are plain, un- 
barred, pink-buff axillars, which separate it from both the other curlews; saw-tooth mark- 
ings on the primaries separate it from the Eskimo; and plain unbarred axillars distinguish 
it from the Hudsonian (Figure 270, compare with 271 and 272). As the bills of curlews 
continue to grow for some time after apparent maturity, they are rather variable in length, 
but any curlew with a bill over 4 inches long is probably this species. 
Field Marks. Large size, buffy colour, and long, decurved bill for a curlew. Size is 
the best criterion in distinguishing the Long-billed Curlew in life from the Hudsonian. In 
general, it is more pink in colour, especially under the wings, the Hudsonian being more of 
an olive-brown. Anywhere in southwestern Canada the summer curlew is the Long- 
billed, the Hudsonian being only a spring and autumn transient. 
Distribution. North America. Breeds along our southern border and southward 
from the interior of British Columbia to Manitoba. Has almost disappeared from eastern 
and western extremes of its range and only locally common elsewhere. We have several 
records from the British Columbia coast. 
The finest of the shore birds. Not so spectacular in colour as the pink 
and white avocet or the banner-winged willet, but with a picturesque 
distinction of its own, and of sufficient size to make it conspicuous. The 
powerful flight on long, pointed wings; the clear-cut, distinctive outline, 
long sickle-bill extended and legs trailing; and the exultant, care-free 
whistles, clear, musical, and prolonged, unite to make this a notable bird 
that embodies the spirit of the open range more than does any other bird, 
and one that cannot fail to arouse enthusiasm in the sympathetic observer. 
The commonest call-note is a clear “Pil-will so nearly like that of 
the willet that it can not always be distinguished from it. Other notes 
resemble those of the Upland Plover. One especially delightful is a long- 
drawn “Curl-e-e-e-e-u-u-u ” sparklingly clear and rising in the middle 
about five notes, then dying gradually away, lowering in scale and volume. 
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