GKALLjE — SCOLOPACID^E — TOTANUS. 247 



This is a familiar bird, found in small families along every stream, and the borders of 

 ponds and lakes throughout the Union. It is known in the books under the names of Spotted 

 Sandpiper and Tattler, but is better known among the people by the name of Peet-weet, in 

 allusion to its notes ; or of Teeter and Tiltup, from its often repeated grotesque jerking 

 motions. It appears with us in April from its southern winter quarters, and disappears about 

 the beginning of November. It breeds in this State and farther north, laying pale yellowish 

 eggs, which are spotted with dark brown. Food, insects and worms. It ranges from Mexico 

 to the 57th parallel, and has been accidentally found in Europe. 



THE GREY PLOVER. 



TOTANUS BARTRAMIUS. 

 PLATE XCIII. FIG. 209. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Tringa bartramia. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 7, p. 63, pi. 59, fig. 2. 



Tottmus id. Okd's reprint, p. 67. Bonaparte, Ann. I.yc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 325. Rich. F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 391. 

 Tringa id. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 5, p. 248, pi. 327. 

 Totanus (Euliga) id. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol.2, p. 168. 

 Actiturus id. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 51. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 226. 



Characteristics. Bill short, somewhat curving from near the middle. Wings much shorter 

 than the tapering tail : first quill barred on the inner web. Length, 12 - 5. 



Description. Bill scarcely longer than the head, slender, straight, curving near the tip, 

 l'l long, and subequal with the tarsus. Tibia bare for nearly half its length. Inner toe 

 cleft to the base. Tail much rounded, exceeding the tips of the wings. 



Color. Bill yellowish at the base, dusky at the tip ; legs yellowish green. Crown dark 

 brown, with a central yellowish brown line. Upper parts greyish, more or less tinged with 

 rufous. Axillaries and lower wing-coverts white, banded with dusky. Eye with a light space 

 around it. Throat whitish, unspotted : throat and breast yellowish, with dusky lines ; arrow- 

 headed spots beneath. Shaft of the first quill white; the others dusky. Two middle tail- 

 feathers dark olive brown, barred with black ; edges cream-colored ; the outer white : all 

 barred with black. 



Length, 12-0-13-0. 



This much esteemed game bird is very shy, and requires great caution and skill on the 

 part of the sportsman. It is known under the various names of Grey Plover, Grass Plover, 

 Upland Plover and Field Plover. In the books it is described under the names of BartranCs 

 Tatler, and Sandpiper. It ranges from Texas to the Arctic circle, and breeds from Mary- 

 land northwardly. It is not a coast bird, but roams and breeds freely through the interior. 

 The eggs are dull yellow, with brownish spots. Feeds on grasshoppers. In July and August 

 it appears in large flocks on its way to the south. It leaves us in September. 



