(Numenius hudsonicus)
The Hudsonian curlew, or jack curlew, by which name it is also known,
is also a common visitor to our hunting grounds. It is often seen
mixed with flocks of the preceding species, which leads many to
suppose that they are the younger birds of that species. Unlike the
long-billed, the Hudsonian curlew is not a resident species, or, at
least, not to so great an extent, although it makes its appearance on
our marshes quite early in the season, even as far south as central
California. In markings the two species are almost identical, with the
exception that the Hudsonian is somewhat paler in shade. Any doubt
arising as to which species a specimen may belong can easily be
settled by an examination of the axillar plumes. If a long-bill, these
feathers will be a solid reddish-brown, but if a Hudsonian, they will
be of a pale buff color barred with a dull-brown, the buff and brown
being nearly of the same width. Both species become less common north
of southern California during the late winter months.
=Color=--Same as the long-billed curlew, except that it is a little
paler on the under parts, and the mottling shows more distinctly on
the back. The axillars are pale buff, distinctly barred with light
brown.
=Nest and Eggs=--The same as the long-billed curlew.
=Measurements=--Total length, including bill, which varies but little
in this species, about 17 inches; wing, 9, and bill about 3-1/2 inches.
[Illustration: BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Charadrius squatarola)]