
siete eat aie ma common migrant during autumn and spring monthe. They are heard 
requently at n as y pass overhead enroute to or from their winteri 
South America. ahd carte 
Description.-—-Body slightly larger than that of a killdeer, but with a very slender neck, 
emall head, and slender bill; upverparts dark, somewhat mottled; underparts buffy white: 
short legs, and long tail: erect posture. 
VYoice.--A most melodious, quavering whistle, usually three or more times, especially when 
it takes flight or is passing overhead during migration. Often heard at night. 
Measurements.-- 
Male (10) Female (9) 
Wing, 157-181 (163.3) Wing, 161-178 (166.6) 
Tail, 79-92 (83.4) Tail, 79-89.5 (75.6) 
Tarsus, 43.5-H9 (46.4) Tarsus, 47-50.5 (48.5) 
Hxposed culmen, 26-31 (28.2) Exposed culmen, 27.5~32 (29.8) 
Gener. etribution.-~-Breeds from northwestern Alaska, southern Mackenzie, southern 
Manitoba, central Wisconsin, southern Ontario, southern Quebec and Maine, south to 
southern Oregon, northeastern Utah, Colorado, southern Oklahoma, southern Missouri, 
southern Indiana, and northern Virginia. Winters in southern South America east of the 
Andes from Brazil and northern Argentina south to the Rfo Negro. 
Distribution in Guatemala.-~-Recorded as 4@ migrant in the Petén, the central highlands, 
and on the Pacific Coast. Probably more common in the highlands, 
rdg.—-Migrants were heard calling as they passed over Guatemala City during the nights 
of April 16 to 21, and May 6 to 10, 1946, and on April 19 and 20, and May 4 and 5, 10, and 
11, 1947. They were observed at Lake Retana on March 24, 1942, and near San José, April 1, 
1947. 
In literature this species has been recorded from: Duenas and Sakluk (Salvin and 
Godman). Sakluk is the former name for La Libertad. 
Habits and Hunting.--This species is too scarce to be considered a game bird. 
58. Numeniugs borealis (Forster) 
Eskimo Curlew 
Other Names.-~ 
None known. 
Status.--This Eskimo curlew is generally considered to be nearly or quite extinct. There 
have been no records in Guatemala since 1861. ' 
Descrintion.e—-—-Smallest of the curlews; bill relatively short and only slightly curved; 
crown dark without well defined median stripe; upperparts warm brown mottled with buff; 
underparts buffy brown, lightly streaked; primaries solid blackish, not barred. 
Yoice.--Has been described. as a melodious whistled bee, bee; also as a sharp squeak sugges- 
tive of the single note cf & common tern. 
Measurements.-- 
Male (5) Female (5) 
Wing, 200.5.214 (206.3) Wing, 189.5-215 (203.8) 
Tail, 77~-83.5 (80.1) Tail, 76-82 (79-8) 
Tarsus, 39. 5-44 (42.1) Tarsus, 41-45 (43.9) 
Exposed culmen, 48-53 (51.3) Exposed culmen, 47-60 (54.9) 
General Distribution.-~Bred formerly on the Barren Grounds of northern Mackenzie and the 
Norton Sound regio: of Alaska. Wintered in Chile and on the plains of Argentina, The 
southward migration route was from the coast of Labrador, New England, and Long Island 
over the Atlantic Ocean, returning northward across the Gulf of Mexico and.up the Mississippi 
Valley. Now virtually extinct. 
63 
