242 NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



THE PECTORAL SANDPIPER. 



Tringa pectoralis. 

 plate lxxxv. fig. 193. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Pelidna pectoralis. Say, App. Long's Expedition, Vol. 1, p. 171. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 318. 

 T. id. Bonaparte, Am. Orn. Vol. 4, p. 43, pi. 23, fig. 2. Ndttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 111. 

 T. id. ADDC30N, B. of A. Vol. 5, p. 259, pi. 329. Giraod, Birds of Long island, p. 233. 



Characteristics. Bill compressed and dull yellowish at the base, 1-1 long, and subequal 

 with the tarsus. Rump black : middle tail-feathers longest. Feet olive. 

 Summer, black and rufous ; beneath white ; breast ash tinged with 

 reddish, and streaked with dusky. Winter, brownish ash ; beneath 

 white. Length, 9 0. 



Description. Bill slender, straight ; the point obtuse. Nostrils basal, linear, pervious. 

 Tibia bare for about oae-third of its length. Neck short. Middle tail-feathers pointed and 

 elongated ; the others rounded. 



Color. Head reddish brown; the central part of each feather dusky brown. Lores dusky: 

 an obsolete whitish stripe over the eye. All the upper parts blackish brown ; the feathers 

 edged with reddish : quills dusky. Middle tail-feathers colored and edged like those of the 

 back ; the others grey, edged and tipped with while. Breast and sides of the neck dusky 

 brown, marked with interrupted series of darker brown lines. Chin and all beneath white. 

 In winter, the reddish hue above is not so distinct, and all beneath white. 



Length, 8- 5 -9 -5. 



The history of this little sandpiper is far from being comrjlete. It is supposed to breed at 

 the north, but the precise facts connected with its incubation are unknown. It has hitherto 

 been observed from Maine to Maryland, but its geographical range is doubtless more extended. 

 A few are seen on our coast in the spring, but the greatest number appear from August to 

 November, when they are very fat and well-flavored. It passes under the various names of 

 Meadow Snipe, Jack Snipe, Short-neck, and according to Mr. Giraud it is called Fat-bird on 

 the coast of New-Jersey. Occasionally it occurs in great numbers along the coast of this 

 State, but in some years it is very scarce. It has been accidentally found in Europe. 



