Part 19

LEAST SANDPIPER. 242. Pisobia minutilla. 6 inches.

This is the smallest of the family; except for size they are the same in color and markings as the preceding. Found more on the seashore. Nesting habits and eggs are the same as the two above.

RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. 243a. Pelidna alpina sakhalina. 8 inches.

Bill slightly decurved and rather stout. Adults in summer, with the upper parts largely bright chestnut, spotted with black; belly black; head, throat, breast and sides strongly streaked with black.

In winter, dull brownish-gray above and white below, with the breast washed with grayish and slightly streaked with dusky. These small birds are found in large flocks both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, during migrations, but rarely in the interior. Their flight is very rapid and performed in compact flocks, that act as if governed by one impulse.

Nest.—Usually built on dry grassy knolls, a hollow in the earth being lined with a few dried grasses; they lay three or four eggs with a greenish or brownish buff color, heavily spotted and blotched with shades of brown and chestnut (1.40 × 1.00).

SPOONBILL SANDPIPER. 245. Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. 7 inches.

A very rare Asiatic species, which is taken in Alaska. It is a very peculiar bird, having the end of the bill broadened and flattened into a sort of spoon shape.

SANDERLING. 248. Calidris leucophæa. 8 inches.

These are a handsome and abundant species, found during migrations by thousands. On the coast it is one of the boldest of the shore birds, feeding on the edge of the outer beach, often under the combing crest of the incoming waves, retreating just as the wave breaks and is dashed to foam on the beach. They are usually very shy, and will not allow a close approach. Toes are short and stout; no hind toe. Adults in summer, variegated above with bright reddish brown and black. In winter, plain grayish above and white below.

Nest.—The three or four greenish buff eggs, spotted and blotched with brown, are laid in nests that differ but little from others of this family (1.45 × .90).

Range.—Found in all parts of North America, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and wintering to southern California.

WESTERN SANDPIPER. 247. Ereunetes mauri. 6½ inches.

Their appearance is very similar to the Least Sandpiper, but they are slightly larger and the feet are partially webbed. Their nesting habits are the same, and eggs are very much alike.

MARBLED GODWIT. 249. Limosa fedoa. 19 inches.

These large waders are found in moderately large flocks both in the interior and on the coast in the fall. They are like large Plovers, with long, slightly upcurved bills. Back, wings and tail rufous barred with black; rump white.

Nest.—Their eggs are laid upon the ground, sometimes there is no lining to the nest, and again a few grasses may be twisted about the depression. Three or four eggs with a ground color of grayish buff, sometimes quite dark, are blotched with dark brown (2.25 × 1.60).

GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. 254. Totanus melanoleucus. 14 inches.

Head and neck streaked with gray and white; back dark gray margined with white; rump white; tail barred black and white; primaries black; bill long and rather slender; legs long and yellow.

Nest.—The eggs are laid in a depression on the ground with very little attempt at nest building. Three or four eggs, grayish white, heavily blotched with shades of brown and lilac (1.65 × 1.25).

Range.—North America, breeding in the British Provinces.

WESTERN SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 256a. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus. 9 inches.

A bird with a greenish gray back, barred with buff, and white below. These are almost always met with in pairs or singly, and are very rarely seen even in small flocks. They prefer small ponds or streams in wet woods or open meadows, rather than marshes, which are frequented by other species. As their name signifies they are inclined to be alone.

Nest.—Is usually well concealed in a clump of grass, near some small piece of water, and is only a slight hollow with very little lining of grasses. Three to five eggs are clay colored, spotted with dark shades of brown (1.30 × 1.00).

WESTERN WILLET. 258a. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inoratus. 16 inches.

These breed in small colonies in the marshes in central Oregon and northern California, and are quite abundant in many localities. Upper parts a brownish gray, specked with black; under parts lighter gray, with lighter streaks of darker gray. Primaries white at the base and black on the outer end.

Nest.—Is placed upon the ground secreted in clumps of grass just barely out of reach of the water. Three or four eggs; buff blotched with umber (2.00 × 1.50).

WANDERING TATTLER. 259. Heteractitis incanus. 11 inches.