A FEATHER OF THE EXTINCT ESKIMO CURLEW

a feather of the extinct Eskimo Curlew, Numenius borealis, in excellent condition, still attached to a small sliver of skin,

5.7 cm long.

This species was originally one of the most numerous shorebirds in western Arctic Canada and Alaska. However, beginning in the late 1800s, approximately two million birds were killed per year and the population crashed. There have been no confirmed sightings since 1963.

Provenance:

This feather comes from a specimen mounted by Henry Ward of London and labelled "The first shot in Gt. Britain, by W. Cusack Smith at Durris, Kincardineshire Sept. 6th 1855". More precise locality details are: Car-moncarn Hill, Durris Estate, Kincardineshire, Grampian. Six individuals have been reliably recorded in Britain. The feather originates from the collection of respected UK taxidermist Barry Williams and will be supplied with a copy of his Certificate of Authenticity and photo of the actual bird it came from.