ESQUIMAUX CURLEW. 
119 
Perhaps no genus of birds has been less accurately studied, 
and notwithstanding that it is exceedingly natural, it has but 
very recently been restricted within its appropriate limits. The 
appellation it bears was first given by Brisson, yet he was far 
from assigning its true boundaries. In addition to the Curlews, 
he comprised in Numenius a few other birds, (the Tantali of 
, • 
Linne,) now forming the natural family of Tantnlidse, and divided 
into the genera Tantalus and Ibis. The true Numenii had been 
much more philosophically classed by Linne in his extensive 
genus Scolopax, which, though not well formed, was still, with 
very few exceptions, entirely composed of birds belonging to the 
natural family Scolopacidse. Under all circumstances, the union 
of Numenius with Scolopax was far more natural than that with 
Tantalidse; and although we make use of the name given by 
Brisson, the credit of establishing it in its present acceptation is 
due to Latham, or perhaps to Illiger, who freed it from extra¬ 
neous species, and we, with Temminck, Vieillot, and others, 
adopt it as we find it. The species now regarded as Numenii 
form a very natural group, being closely allied in manners, 
colours, and somewhat even in size. Hence they have been 
continually mistaken for each other, erroneously united, or wan¬ 
tonly multiplied, as will be made amply apparent by the synonyms 
and scientific history of each species. 
All the species of Curlews have the bill very long, slender, 
feeble, much arched, slightly compressed, almost cylindrical, 
hard and obtuse at tip, and entire: the upper mandible is longest, 
furrowed for three-fourths of its length, rounded towards the 
tip; the lower a little shorter. The nostrils are basal, lateral, 
longitudinal, linear, being placed in the furrow. The tongue is 
very short, small, and acute. The face is attenuated, and wholly 
feathered. The feet are rather elongated, slender, bare above 
■ 
the heel; the tarsi cylindrical, half longer than the middle toe. 
