66 THE GAME BIRDS 
of darker; patch of white under the chin, 
and a white line over the eye. The crown is 
a mixture of streaks of dark brown and light 
chestnut, and the nape of the neck is lighter, 
being streaked with two shades of a dull 
yellowish cast. Wings darker than body. 
In the young fall birds the breast has more of 
a yellow tinge. Base of tail black; eyes 
brown; legs greenish-yellow. Length 9 
inches; extent 17 inches. 
These birds are found all over the country, 
and I think are, as regards habits, pretty 
much the same wherever found. They love 
the low, muddy shores and flats, and the 
grassy meadows above tide water, feeding 
upon the crustaceans, grasshoppers and other 
small insects. 
They are a favorite game bird, although 
small; as they are quick of flight, somewhat 
resembling the snipe, and when ‘“ walked up” 
give a good shot an opportunity to show his 
skill. They are fine food, although small, 
and one never need throw them one side as 
useless. 
There are two other birds closely allied 
to this, and to the casual observer differing 
but. little. >The first: 
Ti. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: 
Tringa fuscicollis. 
Differs principally in the base of the tail being 
white; the breast without the dull color; aaa 
