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ESQUIMAUX CURLEW. 
The spring is their season for breeding, and the northern 
regions the place they prefer for this purpose. They are mono¬ 
gamous, lay four or five pyriform eggs, which are deposited with 
little art on a few bits of reeds or grass placed in the midst of 
tufts, or in small bushes, for shelter; sometimes they are merely 
dropped in sand-holes, or on wild open shores. Both sexes sit on 
the eggs; but the young receive little attention from their parents, 
and almost as soon as hatched provide for themselves, without 
requiring their assistance. 
This genus, though by no means numerous in species, is not 
confined to any particular regions of either continent; but is 
distributed every where along the shores from the frozen regions 
of the North to those of the South Pole, and they appear also in 
the torrid zone in winter. Their migrations may be traced from 
North to South according to the seasons. They pass the winter 
in our temperate regions, generally returning in May from the 
South, and in September from the North. 
In the economy of nature, these birds seem to be of some 
importance in preventing the superabundant multiplication of 
numerous marine animals, thus assisting to maintain the equi¬ 
librium and preserve the harmony of the Animal Kingdom; as 
the Flycatching birds serve to check the too great increase of 
land insects. It is perhaps on this account that they are so 
generally diffused. In relation to man they appear to be of no 
less importance, since without being delicious, their flesh is very 
palatable, and even, when they have fed and fattened on berries, 
tender and excellent meat: when their nourishment has been 
derived from the sea it is much inferior. They are pursued both 
in Europe and America in various ways, and brought in numbers 
to the city markets. In some districts their eggs are much sought 
after, but those of other aquatic birds are mixed with them, and 
offered for sale under the same name. 
