Last of the Curlews

Last of the Curlews - Fred  Bodsworth The Eskimo Curlew once migrated in vast flocks from South America to the Arctic, it was a popular game bird for its ease in shooting and its superior numbers. Its numbers rapidly deteriorated in the late 19th century and at the time of Bodsworth's writing this novel there were years between sightings and then the bird was alone.

The novel is from the perspective of a male curlew and begins with him defending a territory against other similar birds and waiting for anther of his kind to appear. Unlike many nature books little attempt is made to humanize him. He acts from instinct. He waits. At the end of the season he makes the difficult migration south, traveling with other migratory birds, but always seeking a female. Chapters are bookended with newspaper and journal accounts chronologically covering the Eskimo Curlew's decline and the evolutionary reasons the Eskimo Curlew was so ill-adapted to fleeing gunfire. This is a sad story and there is no wriggle room: this is our fault.

I had an illustration from this book framed and hung on my wall as a kid. My mother had copied it for an art class when she was in middle school, its a solitary bird looking out over an empty field. It wasn't until recently I found this book at a library book sale but I was reluctant to open the flood gates. It wasn't until the last weekend before my wedding I decided to get some books off my list - this is a tiny novel, but hard to get through emotionally. my fiancee came home to be crying my eyes out on the bed. With that hearty recommendation I'll also add the book is a must-read for those interested in protecting endangered species and a classic of nature writing.