Eskimo Curlew
A vanishing species?
Appendix 2
Records of Eskimo Curlews on the Labrador coast, 1770-1786, from George Cartwright's diary. (Cartwright 1792; numbers in parentheses at the end of each entry are volume:page.)
1) 1770 4 AUGUST: "The first curlews appeared today." (1:23)
2) 1770 6 AUGUST: "I sent Ned and Charles to South Head, where they killed
a brace of curlews and three grouse." (1:23)
3) 1770 10 AUGUST: "We returned home to breakfast, and afterwards went down
to South Head a shooting; where my brother killed a brace of spruce-game, and
I, a curlew." (1:25)
4) 1770 20 AUGUST: "At day-light I went again to Henly Island, where I shot
three curlews and a grey plover." (1:26)
5) 1770 22 AUGUST: "I also killed a curlew, a brace of gray plover and two
brace of grouse." (Grandy Island; 1:27)
6) 1770 23 AUGUST: "I killed a curlew." (Granby Island; 1:27)
7) 1770 26 AUGUST: "On some low hills, partly barren, and the rest covered
with small bad spruce-bushes, were many large flocks of curlews feeding on the
berries, which were plentiful there; but could kill only one. The berries of
the Empetrum Nigrum, and likewise some delicious blue berries which grow on
a small scrubby plant, called Ground Whortle, both of which are now ripe, are
what the curlews delight to feed on. These not only make them uncommonly fat,
but also give their flesh a most delicious flavour." (mouth of Beaver Brook;
1 :29)
8) 1770 29 AUGUST: "We killed three curlews, and saw numerous flocks of those
birds...." (Grove Island; 1:31)
9) 1770 31 AUGUST: "In the course of the day I shot three curlews, three grouse,
and an auntsary; the rest of the party killed four grouse, one curlew, one auntsary,
and a whabby." (Cartwright Island; 1:31)
10) 1770 2 SEPTEMBER: "I killed two brace of curlews and a grouse; and the
rest of the party shot four brace of curlews, and two brace of grouse." (Cartwright
Island; 1:32)
11) 1770 3 SEPTEMBER: "A great number of curlews were upon the shore; and
my brother shot three of them." (Langman Island; 1:32)
12) 1770 4 SEPTEMBER: "Mr. Dixon and I walked over the hills, where we killed
seven curlews and three grouse." (South Head; 1:32)
13) 1770 10 SEPTEMBER: "After breakfast, we went in the boat to the mouth
of Island Brook, where we landed, and walked to the top of a steep, craggy hill...The
top from which there is an extensive prospect, is barren, I killed two brace
of grouse there; and my brother, one brace, and a curlew." (1:33-34)
14) 1771 3 AUGUST: "I saw the first curlew to-day." (Seal Tickle vicinity; 1:154)
15) 1771 17 AUGUST: "I shot a curlew on Henly Island." (1:158)
16) 1771 19 AUGUST: "In the course of this day, I killed nine curlew on Henly
Island; Mr. Bell and the furrier killed many more." (1:158)
17) 1771 22 AUGUST: "Lieutenant Mercier and Mr. Bell went to South Head, where
they shot nine brace of curlew and a grouse." (1:159)
18) 1771 27 AUGUST: "We then went upon the Table Land and the high hills,
where we saw plenty of fresh slot of deer and many curlews; one of which I killed
with my rifle, and Hines killed a dozen with shot." (Condon Harbour; 1:159)
19) 1771 3 SEPTEMBER: "I killed a grouse with my rifle, and three curlews
with shot." (Chateau; 1:161)
20) 1771 5 SEPTEMBER: "Returning to the tent, I shot a curlew with my rifle
in a very curious manner; the bird stood fronting me, and the ball cut the feathers
out of one wing, as clean as a knife could have done it, yet did not draw blood."
(Granby Island; 1:162)
21) 1772 5 AUGUST: "I sent a man out a shooting, and he brought a grouse and two curlews." (Pitt's Harbour; 1:246)
22) 1772 10 AUGUST: "We beat round Cross Pond, but saw a few curlews only,
and those were very wild." (South Barrens; 1:248)
23) 1772 14 AUGUST: "Mr. Hill killed three curlews as we were crossing the
isthmus. (Cutter Harbour; 1:249)
24) 1772 17 AUGUST: "Mr. Hill killed a curlew as we came." (Drake Island in
Cutter Harbour; 1:250)
25) 1772 20 AUGUST: "We had another black-duck in one of the traps, and George
had killed seventeen curlews." (Twelve-o'clock Harbour; 1:251)
26) 1772 21 AUGUST: "...took up the traps, and killed three curlews." (Cutter
Harbour) "On the head he killed a brace of curlews." (Lyon Head; 1:251)
27) 1772 26 SEPTEMBER: "After breakfast one of Mr. Pinson's men went along
with me to the westward, as far as Man-of-War's Rock, in hopes of meeting with
some deer, but we saw only some gray-plover and a few curlews; none of which
would let us come near them." (Henley Harbour; 1:259)
28) 1772 24 OCTOBER: "We sailed this morning, but could go no farther than
Camp Islands' where I was much surprised to meet with a curlew so late in the
year; I beheaded it with my rifle." (1:261)
29) 1773 29 AUGUST: "I shot six curlews, and a grey plover in my way thither." (Bare Point; 1:274)
30) 1773 30 AUGUST: "I killed four curlews." (Bare Point; 1:274)
31) 1773 1 SEPTEMBER: "I killed a black-duck and a curlew." (Chateau; 1:276)
32) 1774 4 AUGUST: "I killed a spruce grouse with my rifle, and saw the first curlews." (Cutter Harbour, Mary Harbour; 2:20)
33) 1774 26 AUGUST: "I killed in the course of this day, twenty-three curlews
and a black-duck." (Stage Cove; 2:24)
34) 1774 15 SEPTEMBER: "I killed a grouse and a curlew with my rifle...."
(Charles Harbour; 2:25)
35) 1775 29 AUGUST: "I killed three curlews." (Charles Harbour; 2:105)
36) 1775 13 SEPTEMBER: "...after breakfast I went upon Signal hill, where
I shot a curlew...." (2:108)
37) 1776 6 AUGUST: "I killed a duck, and saw the first curlews. " (Muddy Bay Pond; 2:198)
38) 1776 7 AUGUST: "After dinner captain Scott and I took a walk upon Signal
Hill; and we saw a small flock of curlews there." (2:198)
39) 1776 19 AUGUST: "Jack shot four curlews to-day; they are the first that
have been killed this year." (Cartwright Narrows; 2:201)
40) 1776 22 AUGUST: "In the evening Jack went upon Signal Hill, and killed
ten curlews." (2:202)
41) 1776 23 AUGUST: "Jack killed seven curlews upon Signal Hill this morning,
and I shot seven more before the door." (2:202)
42) 1776 24 AUGUST: "After breakfast Jack went to Laar Cove, where he killed
a brace of curlew and a gray plover. I walked upon the Hill, and killed a brace
of curlews there, and a dozen more before the door." (This is the only entry
for this day, except for the weather; 2:202)
43) 1776 25 AUGUST: "I shot three curlews and a black-duck at the door." (Cartwright
Harbour; 2:202)
44) 1776 26 AUGUST: "I killed a brace of curlews at the door this morning,
and in the afternoon walked upon the hill, but killed nothing there." (2:202)
45) 1776 31 AUGUST: "I killed five curlews at the door; very few have appeared
since the twenty-sixth instant until this day, when they were tolerably plentytiful."
(Only entry for this date, except for weather; 2:203)
46) 1776 I SEPTEMBER: "I killed a dozen of curlews at the door, and Jack shot
a brace." (2:204)
47) 1776 2 SEPTEMBER: "I killed a brace of curlews at the door." (2:204)
48) 1776 3 SEPTEMBER: "Jack killed a curlew this morning, of very large size;
I have seen some few of them before, but never till now compared any of them
with the others; this is darker on the back, has a white belly, and weighed
fifteen ounces (the common sort but nine and a half) and the wings extended
are longer by five inches. I killed five curlews at the door." (Only entry for
this day, except for weather; 2:204)
Figure 23. Carwright Harbour, Labrador, in foreground; Curlew Hill, highest hill, center, behind settlement. G.H. Martin.
49) 1776 4 SEPTEMBER: "I killed eight curlews at the door." (2:204)
50) 1776 5 SEPTEMBER: "After dinner captain Scott and I took a walk upon Signal
Hill; he killed a curlew and two gray plover, and I shot fourteen curlews and
a plover. Jack killed a curlew and a plover." (2:205)
51) 1776 6 SEPTEMBER: "Jack killed a brace of curlews on the hill." (2:205)
52) 1776 10 SEPTEMBER: "After breakfast captain Scott and I walked upon the
hill; he killed three curlews, and I shot five; each of us killed one of the
large sort, which have the same note as those in England and other parts of
Europe, but the small kind have a different one, more like that of gray plover."
(2:206)
53) 1776 11 SEPTEMBER: "After breakfast captain Scott and I walked upon the
hill, where I killed a curlew and three plover." (2:206)
54) 1776 13 SEPTEMBER: "We returned to dinner, and in the evening I went upon
the hill, and killed a curlew; they are now departing fast." (2:207)
55) 1776 15 SEPTEMBER: "After breakfast captain Scott and I walked upon the
hill where I killed a brace of curlews." (2:207)
56) 1776 18 SEPTEMBER: "Very few curlews to be seen now." (2:208)
57) 1777 28 JULY: "I saw a flock of curlews, which is a few days earlier than usual." (Cartwright Harbour; 2:239)
58) 1777 4 AUGUST: "At noon I walked up to Lookout Hill and killed a curlew
there; Mr. Daubeny killed one on Saturday [August 2]." (2:241)
59) 1777 5 AUGUST: "After baiting the boats, I rowed to Green Island, and
from thence into Eastern Arm, landed there, and walked to the top of the hill
on the south side, where I saw a flock of curlews, and plenty of deer's slot."
(2:241-242)
60) 1777 8 AUGUST: "I killed two brace of curlew." (Slink Point; 2:243)
61) 1777 13 AUGUST: "At five this morning I went to Slink Point, where I killed
a hare with my greyhound, and shot six grouse and four curlews; and I killed
two more curlews upon this island afterwards." (Great Island; 2:244)
62) 1777 14 AUGUST: "Between five and eight o'clock this morning I shot forty
curlews upon this island; and I killed six more not far from home in the course
of the day." (Great Island; 2:244)
63) 1777 15 AUGUST: "I killed three curlews." (Great Island; 2:244)
64) 1777 17 AUGUST: "After breakfast Mr. Daubeny and I...killed three of the
latter [black ducks], five eider-ducks, a brace of ptarmigans, a brace of curlews,
a gray plover, and a lady." (Great Island to Cape North; 2:245)
65) 1777 21 AUGUST: "We had a deal of fish spread, and I killed four curlews." (Great Island to outer Sister Island; 2:246)
66) 1777 22 AUGUST: "I killed four curlews on the island in the morning...."
(Great Island; 2:246)
67) 1777 26 AUGUST: "Curlews have grown very scarce within these few days
past, and great numbers of geese have appeared lately, as they are getting the
use of their wings very fast now." (Great Island; 2:248)
68) 1777 27 AUGUST: "I tailed a trap for geese on each of the Duck Islands,
and shot two geese and six curlews." (2:248)
1777 28 AUGUST THROUGH SEPTEMBER: (Although hunting almost daily, Cartwright
reported no curlews.)
69) 1778 5 AUGUST: "Mr. Daubeny and I went round Blackguard Bay in a skiff...saw a flock of curlews, being the first this year." (2:354)
70) 1778 7 AUGUST: "One flock of curlews appeared." (Great Island; 2:354)
71) 1778 10 AUGUST: "A few small flocks of curlews were seen today. " (Great
Island; 2: 355)
72) 1778 18 AUGUST: "Curlews are so scarce this year, that very few have been
seen, and not one killed yet." (Great Island; 2:357)
73) 1778 19 AUGUST: "We each of us [two people] killed a curlew and saw a
good many more, but they were very shy." (Curlew Harbour, South East Cove; 2:358)
74) 1778 23 AUGUST: "Jack took a walk to the other end of the island, where
he saw a silver fox, and shot six curlews." (Great Island; 2:360)
75) 1778 24 AUGUST: " I took a walk to the far end of this island, where I
saw several curlews, and killed one." (Great Island; 2:360)
76) 1778 25 AUGUST: "After breakfast I went in the Roebuck, with two boys,
to Round Island where I killed a brace of hares, a brace of grouse and a curlew....Mr.
Daubeny came last from Indian Island which place he has marked as a sealing-post
for me: he there found abundance of curlews and killed forty-two; he likewise
met with plenty of good fish about the Island." (2:360-361)
77) 1778 30 AUGUST: "As soon as they [the pirates] were gone, I took up my
gun, walked out upon the island and shot a curlew." (Great Island; 2:364)
78) 1778 31 AUGUST: "I shot a brace of curlews to-day, and the skiff's crew
brought a porcupine." (Great Island; 2:367)
79) 1778 1 SEPTEMBER: "I shot one curlew." (Great Island; 2:367)
80) 1778 4 SEPTEMBER: "I took a walk to the north-east end of the island, where I tailed a trap for the fox, which had been seen some time ago, and killed a curlew." (Great Island; 2:368)
81) 1778 6 SEPTEMBER: "After breakfast, I took Smith with me and crossed the
harbour in a skiff to the south-east shore...Smith killed a brace of grouse,
a brace of curlews and a gray plover." (Great Island vicinity; 2:368-369)
82) 1778 3 OCTOBER: "I saw two curlews today (which is very late in the year
for those birds) and killed a lady." (2:377)
83) 1779 3 AUGUST: "Early this morning some curlews appeared, and Mr. Collingham shot one of them." (Great Island; 2:468)
84) 1779 10 AUGUST: "I saw but one flock of curlews to-day; I believe there
are not many this season, on account of the scarcity of berries." (Great Island;
2:471)
85) 1779 11 AUGUST: "I went in a skiff to the head of Blackguard Bay to get
some more clay, and, while the people were digging it, walked round Berry Hill,
where I saw a few curlews, and killed one." (2:471)
86) 1779 12 AUGUST: "I took a walk this morning to the north point of this
island, where I killed four curlews and three grey plover; also saw the track
of a fox." (Great Island; 2:471)
87) 1779 19 AUGUST: "I shot a curlew." (Great Island; 2:476)
1779 21 AUGUST: Cartwright bemoaned the fact that "much about this time last
year, when I was visited by that accursed privateer, I had venison, curlews,
and other good things in the greatest plenty; but, that now, when friends were
come, I had not one morsel of anything but salted provisions to set before them:
the weather likewise was too bad to get anything." (Great Island; 2:477-478)
88) 1779 29 AUGUST: "We then walked to North Point, and saw many curlews,
but they were so wild, that I killed but three." (Curlew Harbour; 2:480)
1780- Cartwright went to England where bad luck in his business and personal 1782 affairs delayed his return to Labrador until 6 September 1783.
89) 1783 6 SEPTEMBER: "I met with some scattered curlews, and killed six of them and a young gull. In the afternoon I went upon Black Island, where I saw the fresh slot of a young deer, and killed a curlew." (Greedy Island; 3:7)
90) 1783 7 SEPTEMBER: "At ten this morning, Captain Gaylor and 1, with four
men, landed on Black Island....They saw a hare and killed four curlews, and
I killed eleven, and a grey plover." (3:7)
91) 1783 9 SEPTEMBER: "I killed eight curlews, a black duck, and a young gull,
and saw the signs of several foxes; but none of the bears, and very little of
deer." (Cartwright Harbour, Signal Hill; 3:8)
1784 Cartwright arrived in England in February. He returned to Labrador 1 August 1785. (3:36,63)
92) 1785 1 AUGUST: "A few curlews had been seen to-day, and captain Nichols had killed one." (Temple Bay; 3:63)
93) 1785 2 AUGUST: "I saw one flock of curlews." (Lance Cove; 3:64)
94) 1785 15 AUGUST: "In the afternoon I crawled upon the hill (for I am now
so excessively lame that I cannot walk above ten yards at a time without sitting
down to rest, and am in such inexpressible torment, that life is a burden to
me) and sat there watching for geese and curlews till the evening, but none
came near me; the latter are very scarce yet." (Suffering from sciatica; Isthmus
Bay; 3:68)
1785 24 AUGUST: "...ice was half an inch thick" this morning. (Isthmus Bay;
3:70)
95) 1785 1 SEPTEMBER: "I sent Tilfed round the back-shore, who brought in
seven curlews, and twenty-seven large beachbirds. I killed two others on the
point." (Cartwright Harbour; 3:71)
96) 1785 3 SEPTEMBER: "I was so much better of my lameness to-day, as to be
able to walk to the second break in Slink Point, which is three- quarters of
a mile, where I killed four curlews and a raven. Curlews are very plentiful
now; we saw innumerable flocks on Venison Head, as we passed it." (3:71-72)
97) 1785 8 SEPTEMBER: "I saw a great number of geese and black-ducks, but
not many curlews, as they are now going fast away to the southward; I killed
three." (Martin's Cove, Cartwright Harbour; 3:73)
98) 1785 10 SEPTEMBER: "I killed five curlews before the door in the morning....
(Isthmus Bay; 3:74)
99) 1785 16 SEPTEMBER: "...in the evening took a walk upon the hill at the
back of the house, where I saw a curlew and killed a bird called a boatswain."
(Isthmus Bay; 3:76)
100) 1786 2 AUGUST: "We saw several flocks of curlews to-day, which are the first we have seen this season." (Indian Tickle to the Isle of Ponds; 3:196)
101) 1786 3 AUGUST: "I sent Tilfed and one of the sailors out a shooting;
they saw a wolf, killed a curlew, and picked up two large stag's horns, which
had been mewed there. Mr. Atchinson, Mr. Slack, and I went on shore after dinner,
and sauntered about near the harbour, where we saw several curlews; I shot at
one of them, but missed it." (Isle of Ponds; 3:197)
102) 1786 23 AUGUST: "Curlews are now abundant and fat; I killed one." (L'Anse
au Loup; 3:202)
Cartwright concluded his journal with a lengthy poem (360+ lines), entitled "Labrador: a poetical epistle." Included were six lines on Eskimo Curlews:
"When August comes, if on the Coast you be,
Thousands of fine Curlews, you'll daily see:
Delicious Bird! not one with thee can vie!
(Not rich in plumage, but in flavour high)
Nor Ortolan, nor Cock, with trail on toast,
Of high fed Epicures, the pride and boast!
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