280 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



with deep brownish, light ashy and reddish ; the breast and juguluni with an 

 ashy or brownish suffusion, the rest of the under parts being white. All, ex- 

 cept A. Bonapartei, and A. Cooperi, have a central blackish field on the rump. 

 The genus comes nearest to Pelidna Cuvier, (Regn. Anim. 1817 ; type T. cin- 

 clus, L.) which, however, differs in the long decurved bill and some other pe- 

 culiarities. 



Actodeomas maculata (Vieill.) Cassin. Pectoral Sandpiper. "Grass-snipe." 



Tringa pectoralis, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 259, pi. 329. 

 Tringa (Acto'/romas) maculata, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 720. 



The " Grass-snipe," as this species is most appropriately called, differs es- 

 sentially in its habits from any other Sandpiper with which I am acquainted, 

 except the A. minut lla. Between these two species, however, there is a 

 striking similarity, both as regards form, color and general habits. I first 

 noticed the Pectoral S mdpiper at Henley Harbor, on the 20th of August, when 

 it had commenced its southern migration. I there found it abundant, and 

 had ample opportunities both of observing its habits and procuring specimens. 



This species is seldom or never seen on open sandy beaches, as it prefers at 

 all times the low muddy flats laid bare by the tide, the pools and ditches 

 which intersect them, and the salt marshes by which they are bordered. They 

 are not restricted to the neighborhood of the sea, but frequent low wet mea- 

 dows and fields at a great distance from any large body of water. There they 

 walk slowly and sedately through the grass in search of food, having little or 

 none of the restless activity which characterizes most Sandpipers. While thus 

 engaged the tail is generally elevated, somewhat on the manner of the Zenai- 

 dura Carolinensis, if comparison can be made between two birds so dissimilar. 

 This habit of frequenting meadows has gained for them their common appella- 

 tion of "Grass-snipe." When they rise from the grass to alight again at a 

 short distance, they do so in silence, or with a single " tweet," and fly slowly 

 evenly, and with the wings deeply incurved. When, however, they are fright- 

 ened, by being repeatedly forced up, or when they are suddenly startled, they 

 spring vigorously, emitting loud rapidly repeated notes, and fly in a quick 

 zigzag manner, like the common snipe. They are then equally difficult to 

 shoot. On several occasions I have noticed a habit which this bird possesses, 

 which I do not recollect of ever having seen stated. When suddenly startled 

 they rise with a loud note, and mounting very high in the air circle over the 

 head of the intruder for several minutes, flying with very great rapidity and 

 in perfect silence. When about to alight, which they often do at the very 

 spot from which they rose, they nearly close the wings, and dart suddenly 

 down in an almost perpendicular direction. This curious habit I have also ob- 

 served at Portsmouth, N. H., and frequently at Washington, D. C. 



This species is found in pairs or singly, and never, I believe, in flocks of 

 any extent. They are very tame and unsuspicious, permitting a near approach 

 without becoming alarmed. In the fall they are excessively fat and delicately 

 flavored, and afford delicious eating. Very little is known of their breeding 

 places, or of their peculiar habits during the season of reproduction. 



Actodromas mimjtilla (Vieill.) Coues. Least Sandpiper. "Peep." 



Tringa minutilla, Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. 1819, xxxiv. 466. Gray, Genera, 1849, 

 iii. 579. 



Actodromas minutilla, Cbues, Monog. Tring. N. A., in Pr. A. N. S. Ph. July, 

 1861, 191. 



Trinqa pusilla, Wilson, Am. Orn. 1813, v. 32, pi. xxxvii. fig. 4 ; id. Brew. 

 Ed. 1840,' 347, fig. 161 ; id. Ord. Ed. 1829, iii. 134 ; nee Linna?i. Swainson, 

 F. B. A. 1831, ii. 386. Audubon, Orn. Biog. 1834, iv. 180; id. Birds 

 Amer. 1842, v. 280, pi. 337 ; id. Syn. 1839, 237. Giraud, Birds L. I. 1844, 

 240. Gray, Genera, 1849, iii. 579. 



[Aug. 



