NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 235 



Tringoides macularius (L.) Gray. Spotted Sandpiper. "Teeter-tail." 



Totanus macularius, Aud., Birds Airier, v. 303, pi. 342. 

 Tringoides macularius, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 735. 



The Spotted Sandpiper forms almost the only exception to the general rules, 

 that the species of this family retire to very high latitudes to rear their young, 

 and on their return south in the fall associate in flocks of greater or less ex- 

 tent. It has a breeding range almost unparalleled among the Sandpipers, 

 rearing its young from as far south, at least, as Washington, D. C, to the 

 confines of the Arctic circle. Nor is it confined to the immediate vicinity of the 

 sea ; it abounds along the rivers and creeks of the interior, and shows a marked 

 predilection for the vicinity of man's abode. The nest is usually placed in an 

 orchard or meadow, often in a ploughed field, and is a mere depression in the 

 ground, lined with a few dried grasses, or a little eel-grass, (Zostera.) The eggs, 

 as usual in this family, are four in number, large for the size of the bird, pointed, 

 and of a light cream color, every where blotched and spotted with dark brown 

 and black. A nest found on the 4th of July, on one of the barren islands off the 

 coast of Labrador, contained eggs in which the embryos had scarcely begun to 

 be developed, while on the 17th of June, eggs found at Portsmouth, N. H., 

 were on the point of hatching. 



The Spotted Sandpiper is at all times a solitary species ; it is rare to see 

 more than two or three together. Its note is a low mellow " weet," often re- 

 peated. When wounded, even if very severely, it dives with great facility and 

 quickness, and sometimes swims a considerable distance under water. Its 

 most peculiar trait, however, is the habit it possesses of always, on alighting, 

 and frequently at other times, balancing its tail in a remarkable manner, just 

 as the Solitary Sandpiper, Rhyacophilus solitarius, does its head. This pecu- 

 liarity has gained for it the common appellation of " Teeter-tail." 



Tryngites rufescens (Vieill.) Cab. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. 



Tringa rufescens, Aud., Birds Amer. v. 264, pi. 331. 

 Tryngites rufescens, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 739. 



A single specimen of this rather uncommon Sandpiper was shot on the 20th 

 of August by one of the sailors, but was unfortunately too much mutilated to 

 be preserved. I learned nothing of its habits ; it is probably a rare bird in 

 Labrador. 



Numenius (Numenius) longirostris Wils. Long-billed Curlew. "Sickle-bill." 



Numenius longirostris, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 35, pi. 355. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 

 743. 

 Although I did not meet with this species myself, I was assured by all the 

 hunters that it is occasionally seen among the vast flocks of the N. borealis 

 that appear in the autumn. It is, however, rare in Labrador. It is known 

 by the very suggestive name of " Sickle-bill." 



Numenius (Phaeopus) Hudsonicus Lath. Hudsonian Curlew. "Jack Curlew." 



Numenius Hudsonicus, Aud., Birds Amer., v. 42, pi. 356. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 

 744. 



Of the Hudsonian Curlew I saw but few individuals, and these were so shy 

 that it was with difficulty that they were procured. They were most nume- 

 rous at the time that the N. borealis were about taking their departure ; and 

 in their general manners, food, &c, appeared to be very similar to the latter. 

 Their voice, however, is much louder and rougher. They are known to the 

 natives as "Jack Curlews." 



1861.] 



