Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Eskimo Curlew
A vanishing species?
Appendix 1
A summary of R.R.MacFarlane's specimen notes on Eskimo Curlews collected near
the Anderson River, Northwest Territories, 1862-1866.
Number: our numbers are given only to clutches and broods, whether
collected or observed. In the case of #3170, we have overruled MacFarlane and
assigned the eggs to two nests as reported by his Eskimos.
Incubating bird: The number under this heading is MacFarlane's collection
number, which determines the sequence of records in this table. He always wrote
his numbers with a dot to replace a comma, e.g., 3.534; we have deleted these.
Collection numbers that are out of sequence chronologically probably resulted
from items being delivered to the fort while MacFarlane was on a cross-country
trip and being catalogued after his return.
Eggs: 3/1Br = 4 eggs collected, 1 broken before shipment.
Young: 1/3 = 1 collected, 3 escaped.
Location: BaGr = Barren Grounds; LoAn = Lower Anderson River.
Notes, original information has often been omitted if it already appears
in the columns to the left; ellipses replace some of those data. Unless otherwise
noted, each entry begins as does #1800 with "Numenius borealis?". His curlew
identifications were always confirmed by museum personnel at the Smithsonian
Institution.
Number: -
Year: 1862
Date: 23 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #278
Other Adult: Shot
Eggs: -
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Not seen before entering the Barrens..."
Number: 1
Year: 1862
Date: 24 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #282
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3/1 Br
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Nest a mere hole in the earth, lined with a few decayed leaves, and having
a thin sprinkling of hay in the midst of them. Very difficult to find the nests
of this species as they get off long before our approach, while the eggs nearly
resemble the grass in color. This female bird was however seen to get off the
nest, was followed up and shot; they were very numerous in the Barrens, as were
also C. virginicus [Lesser Golden Plover] & P. lapponicus [Lapland
Longspur], Stercorurius pariasiticus [sic; Parasitic Jaeger], Cynus
buccinator [sic, Trumpeter Swan], Anser gambellii [Greater White-fronted
Goose]. - are likewise tolerably numerous" [near Horton River].
Number: 2
Year: 1862
Date: 24 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #284
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3/1 Br
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Parent seen to get off nest was followed up and shot' [near Horton River].
Number: 3
Year: 1863
Date: 13 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #676
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Near Lower Anderson female snared on nest by the same Esquimaux "
Number: 4
Year: 1863
Date: 26 June
Incubating Bird: Seen #940
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Nest a mere hole or depression in the ground' having a few decayed leaves
underneath the eggs female was seen flying about but escaped several shots fired
at her. They generally ascend in the air in a straight line after getting off
the nest.
Number: 5
Year: 1863
Date: 26 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #949
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Nest same as 940 When it was approached the female flew some 10 yards
off where she was shot. Not very scarce- numerous I should say they are- in these
‘Barrens ‘, still their nests are extremely difficult to find. "
Number: 6
Year: 1863
Date: 26 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #954
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Nest same as 940. Female off as 949 did and was at once shot. The eggs
as well as the bird appear to me to be somewhat different from specimens 949.
Number: 7
Year: 1863
Date: -July
Incubating Bird: Seen #1306
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 2/2 Br
Young: -
Area: -
Notes: "Esquimaux... female seen and said to have been a small Curlew."
Number: 8
Year: 1864
Date: -June
Incubating Bird: Snared #1735
Other Adult: Shot
Eggs: 2
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "The nest was composed of a few decayed leaves placed in a slight depression
in the ground and both parents are said to have been secured as follows viz =
the male shot & the female snared."
Number: 9
Year: 1864
Date: 18 June
Incubating Bird: Seen #1746
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: 1
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Ft Anderson... The nest from which this egg was taken was found in a Barren
plain lying some 30 or 40 miles E.S.E of this Both parents were well seen, it
is said, and were of this species-this is probably true but the egg is decidedly
smaller than those entered under 1735 From the constant differences found to exist
between the few skins and eggs which have passed thro' my hands, I am inclined
to think that these can only be accounted for on the supposition that there are
really 2 distinct tho' closely allied species of the Esquimaux Curlew'. However,
I am far from certain, and therefore merely state what I think on the subject."
Number: 10
Year: 1864
Date: 23 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #1800
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Numenius Borealis.?- Female and 4 eggs. EnRoute... The nest was
situated in a large Barren plain or Common about 10 miles west of Rendezvous Lake.
It was composed of a few decayed leaves placed under the eggs in a hole or depression
in the ground. The female bird, as is generally the case, got of the nest while
we were yet at some distance. As the eggs very much resemble the surrounding soil
in color, we are often disappointed in finding the eggs of this species, and the
few obtained are seldom discovered until after some time has been spent in searching
for them The male bird was seen and the female shot. This Curlew never, in this
quarter at least, breeds in wooded tracts-the Barren Grounds proper being the
real habitat ot the species during the season of nidification The other species
(N. Longirostris et Hudsonicus) [Long-billed Curlew and Whimbrel] have
not yet been encountered by us on the several journeys across the Barrens to Franklin
Bay; but the last mentioned is said to be tolerably abundant, on the Lower Anderson,
near its outlet in Liverpool Bay" (Fig. 21).
Number: 11
Year: 1864
Date: 16=/- June
Incubating Bird: Snared #1805
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Found in a Barren plain near Rendezvous Lake, about 16 June last, and
the female is said to have been snared on the nest which, as usual, was composed
of a few withered leaves, placed in a hole or depression in the ground."
Number: 12
Year: 1864
Date: 20 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #1810
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Rendezvous Lake...Nest similar to that before described, and said also
to have been found in a Barren plain N.E. of the lake. Parent bird is stated as
having been snared on the nest" (Fig. 22) .
Number:
Year: 1864
Date: 30 June
Incubating Bird: #2129
Other Adult: -
Eggs: -
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: Under "Ereuntes Petrificertus" [sic; Western Sandpiper] is the
following: "Curlews were not so numerous as on former occasions, while Golden
Plovers were quite abundant."
Number: 13
Year: 1864
Date: 12 July
Incubating Bird: Shot #2344
Other Adult: Shot
Eggs: 2
Young: /2?
Area: BaGr
Notes: "EnRoute Barren Grounds...Nest as before described, and both parents were
shot in its immediate vicinity. It contained but 2 eggs, on the point of being
hatched and are therefore alcoholic specimens. If there were any young also-which
may probably be the case, as the male bird was present-we failed to discover them.
They had time to leave the nest, and conceal themselves as we approached-no difficult
matter in a country where the eggs and pure down young of this species, so much
resemble the soil in color. We noticed some broken shells about."
Figure 21. Habitat near the collection site of Specimen #1800: "10 miles
west of Rendezvous Lake....". Sam Barry
Figure 22. Habitat near the colletion site of Specimen #1810: "found in
a barren plain NE of this lake." Sam Barry.
Number: 14
Year: 1864
Date: 12 July
Incubating Bird: Shot #2346
Other Adult: No
Eggs: 2
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "EnRoute, Barren Grounds...The nest was precisely similar to that before
described under No. 1805. When first discovered, the female was sitting thereon
and at once flew away to a short distance. She was then approached, fired at and
missed. She again made off and was again fired at and missed; but after acting
in the same way several times, she was at length shot. When pursued, she gave
utterance to a rather harsh scream, quite different from the usual note of the
species She seemed loth to go far from her eggs, and when disturbed, never went
beyond 50 or 60 yards therefrom. The male was not seen. One of the eggs contained
a considerably, and the other but a partially developed embryo. Female measured
14 1/2 ins. in length."
Number: 15
Year: 1864
Date: 5+/- July
Incubating Bird: Shot #2368
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: -
Young: 1/3
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Barren Grounds 5? July...The female was shot, and the young one caught,
but 3 more managed to conceal themselves among the now rapidly growing grass.
Male also seen, it is said."
Number: 16
Year: 1864
Date: 5 July
Incubating Bird: Shot #2373
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Barren Grounds. The nest was found about a week ago...Both parents were
seen, and the female shot. The eggs contained considerably developed embryos."
Number: 17
Year: 1864
Date: -July
Incubating Bird: Shot #2374
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: -
Young: 1/2
Area: BaGr
Notes: "...1 young birdskin in pure down...female was shot, and the young one
caught. 2 more escaped, it is said. The male was also seen thereabouts."
Number: 18
Year: 1864
Date: -July
Incubating Bird: Seen #2381
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: 3/1 Br
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Both parents were seen, fired at and missed. Eggs largely developed."
Number: 19
Year: 1864
Date: -July
Incubating Bird: Snared #2398
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 1/3 Br
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Nest as before mentioned. Female is said to have been snared thereon.
The eggs contained considerably developed embryos."
Number: 20
Year: 1864
Date: 28 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #2457
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3/1 Br
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: Barren Grounds N.E...Nest as before described, and female said to have
been shot in the vicinity. The eggs contained largely developed embryos." (Received
at fort while on trip.)
Number: 21
Year: 1864
Date: -July
Incubating Bird: Snared #2736
Other Adult: -
Eggs: /4 Br
Young: -
Area: -
Notes: "Female skin. Esquimaux...The same remarks apply to this specimen, I am
told." (Originally labelled "Hudsonicus" by MacFarlane, it was changed,
presumably at the Smithsonian, to borealis in a different handwriting.)
#2735, labelled "Hudsonicus," is not changed and has the "remarks" referred to
as: "Numenius Hudsonicus. Female skin. Esquimaux. July '64. A nest containing
4 eggs was found on the Arctic Coast - the female was snared, it was said, and
the eggs unfortunately got broken."
Number: 22
Year: 1864
Date: -July
Incubating Bird: Coll #2755
Other Adult: -
Eggs: />/-2 Br
Young: -
Area: -
Notes: "Numenius Borealis? Female skin. Esquimaux. The same remarks will
apply to this specimen, it is said." These remarks, taken from #2754, a Whimbrel,
are: "Female skin. Esquimaux. July '64. Nest as before described, but the eggs
unfortunately got broken. Rare eggs generally break, while common ones rough it
well even better than the former."
Number: 23
Year: 1865
Date: 16 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #3141
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 2
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Lower Anderson Esquimaux...Nest as usual. Found a few days ago, and female
said to have been snared thereon."
Number: 24
Year: 1865
Date: 16 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #3157
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Esquimaux, Lower Anderson...Parent bird said to have been snared on the
nest."
Number: 25 and 26
Year: 1865
Date: 16 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #3170
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Male, Female and 3 eggs. Esquimaux, Lower Anderson...Both these birds
may be females, because the Esquimaux says the eggs were found in 2 nests, and
that a parent bird was snared on each. I, however enter them under one no. as
above in case the Birds may really turn out to be females."
Number: 27
Year: 1865
Date: 19 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #3206
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3/1 Br
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Esquimaux, Lower Anderson...Nest was found a few days ago, and female
was snared thereon, I am told. One egg also broke."
Number: 28
Year: 1865
Date: 19 June
Incubating Bird: Snared 3229
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Esquimaux, Lower Anderson...Found lately, and Parent bird herewith said
to have been snared on the nest; the eggs however bear some slight resemblance
to those of the Squatarola Helveticon [sic, Lesser Golden Plover]."
Number: 29
Year: 1865
Date: 19 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #3230
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Esquimaux, Lower Anderson... The date is frequently that on which the
specimens were received here. Parent bird said to have been snared on the nest
- it was found a short time ago."
Number: 30
Year: 1865
Date: 24 June
Incubating Bird: Snared 3293
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 4
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "En Route...Nest a hole or depression in ground lined with a few withered
leaves and grasses. Parent was snared on nest, which was found in an open 'Barren'
or plain West of Rendezvous Lake. Eggs contained well developed embryos."
Number: 31
Year: 1865
Date: -June
Incubating Bird: Shot #3397
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 3/1 Br
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "En Route... The eggs were found in a hole or depression in the ground
of a very thinly wooded plain or common, near which the parent bird was shot,
but was afterwards eaten by a dog. One egg also broke."
Number: 32
Year: 1865
Date: 29 June
Incubating Bird: Seen #3534
Other Adult: Coll
Eggs: -
Young: /4
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Female skin...Both parents were seen along with 4 young birds of a few
days age, but the Esquimaux finder didn't bring them to me. Measd. 14.25 3/4.
8 3/8 ins [sic]."
Number: 33
Year: 1865
Date: 29 June
Incubating Bird: Seen #3535
Other Adult: Coll
Eggs: -
Young: /4?
Area: BaGr
Notes: "A similar remark will apply, it is said, to this specimen. It measured
13 1/2 inches in length." (See #3534)
Number:
Year: 1865
Date: 29 June
Incubating Bird: -
Other Adult: -
Eggs: -
Young: -(#3557)
Area: BaGr
Notes: Under "Lagopus Albus" [Willow Ptarmigan] is the following: "Curlews...were
even scarcer than last year, and not a nest was obtained, i.e., with eggs (Vide
Nos 3.534 & 3.535)."
Number: 34
Year: 1865
Date: 30 June
Incubating Bird: Seen #3578
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: 2
Young: /2?
Area: BaGr
Notes: "...Nest as usual. Both parents were seen, and as these eggs were on the
point of being hatched, the finder believed that 2 young had already quitted the
nest. He judged thus from the behavior of the parents, and other circumstances."
Number:
Year: 1865
Date: 15 July
Incubating Bird: - (#4233)
Other Adult: -
Eggs: -
Young: i>1
Area: BaGr
Notes: Under "Harelda Glacialis" [Oldsquaw] is the following; "Young
birds of Numenius Borealis...were met with...."
Number: 35
Year: 1865
Date: Summer
Incubating Bird: - #4466
Other Adult: -
Eggs: l>2
Young:
Area: -
Notes: "3 skins. Anderson Esquimaux. A similar remark will here also apply...There
were however some eggs obtained along with them which unfortunately got broken
by the shaking of the sled on its way to the Fort." The remarks under #4465 are:
"Limosa Hudsonicus [Hudsonian Godwit]. Skin. Anderson Esquimaux. Received
in October, but was killed during summer of 1865."
Number:
Year: 1865
Date: Summer
Incubating Bird: - #4572
Other Adult: -
Eggs: -
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Skin. Anderson River Esquimaux. Killed during summer...in Barren Grounds."
Number: 36
Year: 1866
Date: 8 June
Incubating Bird: Snared #4822
Other Adult: Seen
Eggs: 2
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Esquimaux, Lower Anderson...Nest as before described...." [Printed in
margin: "Female and 1 egg lost."]
Number: 37
Year: 1866
Date: 11 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #4839
Other Adult: Shot
Eggs: 2
Young: -
Area: LoAn
Notes: "Lower Anderson Esquimaux...Nest as usual...Both skins and one egg lost."
Number: 38
Year: 1866
Date: 20 June
Incubating Bird: Shot #4922
Other Adult: -
Eggs: 1/3 Br
Young: -
Area: BaGr
Notes: "Eggs contained very large embryos. Found a week ago (20 June). Parent
bird was shot. Both lost."
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