Part 20

=Measurements=--Total length, about 8-1/2 inches; wing, 4-3/4; bill, 1 5/8.

THE WILLET

(Symphemia Semipalmata inornata)

The willet, or stone curlew as it is sometimes called, is a resident species, breeding from Washington to Mexico. It is a western bird, ranging eastward to the Mississippi valley, where it is but a straggler. In size it is nearly as large as the marlin. Its black wings, with broad, white patches, and feet webbed for about half the length of the toes, are distinguishing features, easily recognized. It is generally found on the salt marshes.

=Color=--The general color of the plumage is ashy white or light gray, usually with some light buff markings on the breast. When flying it shows a broad, white patch on the wings, caused by the upper part of the primaries and part of the secondaries being white. Its smoky black axillars will always distinguish it.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is any place on the ground where it can deposit three or four pale buff eggs, spotted with dark brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, 15-1/2 inches; wing, 8-1/2; bill, 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 inches.

Order, LIMICOLAE

Family SCOLOPACIDAE.

Genus Species Common Names Range and Breeding Grounds ------------- --------------- ----------------- -------------------

{Wilson snipe {Throughout the { {marshes of the coast. Gallinago delicata {Jack snipe {Breeds in the { {mountain valleys.

{Dowitcher {Along the fresh waters { {of the interior Macrorhamphus scolopaceus {Red-breasted {valleys. Breeds in { snipe {British Columbia { {and Alaska.

{ {From the Central {Red-backed {Mexican coast north. Tringa pacifica {sandpiper {Breeds from { {Washington north.

{Marble godwit {Early and late { {migrant along the Limosa fedoa {Marlin {coast from Mexico {north. Breeds in {the far north.

{Early and late {migrant along the {coast, passing the Totanus melanoleucus Yellow-legs {winter in Southern {California and Mexico. {Breeds in the mountain {valleys.

{semipalmata {From Mexico north. Symphemia {inornata {Western Willet {Breeds throughout {its range.

{Early and late migrant. {longirostris {Jack curlew {Winters in Southern { {California and Mexico. { {Breeds throughout its { {range. { Numenius { {Long-billed {Same habits as the { { curlew {long-billed and { { {usually found with it. {hudsonicus { {But breeds farther {Hudsonian curlew {north.

THE LONG-BILLED CURLEW

(Numenius longirostris)

The long-billed curlew, or sickle bill as it is often called, is a plentiful resident in all suitable localities. The young birds mature early and find their way to the marshes during August, when the season for their killing should begin. At this time and even during the month of September they are quite palatable, but later they become strong in flavor. In these months they feed largely upon the seeds and insects to be found on the plains, but later they confine themselves principally to the marshes. They breed near the mountain lakes and streams and even to considerable extent on the lower grounds. A glance at the accompanying illustration will be sufficient to enable the uninitiated to always know a curlew.

=Color=--Head, back of neck and back, dark brown, mottled with buff; throat and under parts, pale buff, the feathers on the breast being streaked with brown; axillars, reddish brown.

=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is usually made on the ground in tall grass and back some distance from the marsh. The eggs are about four and of an olive gray, spotted with brown.

=Measurements=--Total length, without the bill, which varies very much, about 20 inches; wing, 9 to 11; bill, from four to eight inches, and bent downwards, with nearly as much curve as a sickle; in most specimens the bill will be about six inches in length.

THE HUDSONIAN CURLEW

(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.