FAMILY XX. 
LIMI C OLJE, Illiger. 
GENUS XLVIII. — NUMENIUS, Latham. 
215 . NUMENIUS LONGIEOSTBIS, WILS. — LONG-BILLED CURLEW. 
WILSON, PLATE LXIV. FIG. IV. 
This American species has been considered by the 
naturalists of Europe to be a mere variety of their own, 
notwithstanding- its difference of colour, and superior 
length of bill. These differences not being accidental, 
or found in a few individuals, but common to all, and 
none being found in America corresponding with that 
of Europe, we do not hesitate to consider the present 
as a distinct species peculiar to this country. 
Like the whooping crane, this bird is an inhabitant of 
marshes in the vicinity of the sea. It is also found in 
the interior, w here, from its long hill and loud whistling 
note, it is generally known. 
The curlews appear in the salt marshes of New 
Jersey about the middle of May, on their w ay to the 
north, and in September, on their return from their 
breeding places. Their food consists chiefly of small 
crabs, which they are very dexterous at probing for, 
and pulling out of the holes with their long hills ; they 
also feed on those small sea snails so abundant in the 
marshes, and on various worms and insects. They are 
likewise fond of bramhleberries, frequenting the fields 
and uplands in se'arch of this fruit, on w hich they get 
very fat, and are then tender and good eating, alto- 
gether free from the sedgy taste with which their 
flesh is usually tainted while they feed in the salt 
marshes. 
The curlews fly high, generally in a w r edge-like form. 
Somewhat resembling certain ducks, occasionally utter- 
ing their loud w r histling note, by a dexterous imitation 
