SCOLOPACID^ — THE SNIPE FAMILY — LIMOSA. 259 



the crown, nape, and lores streaked witli dusky. Axillarsand lining of the wing white, irregularly- 

 barred and spotted with dusky grayish. JV inter plumage : Above, plain brownish gray, beneath 

 plain v/hitish; rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, axillars, etc., as in summer. Young: Above, includ- 

 ing wing-coverts, light grayish Imff, or pale clay-color, coarsely and irregularly spotted with dusky, 

 the latter chiefly along the centres of the feathers, and showing as conspicuous shaft-streaks on the 

 wing-coverts ; lower parts bufFy whitish, shaded across the juguluni and breast with deeper grayish 

 buff ; in other respects like the adult. 



Total length, about 16 inches ; wing, 8.25-9.1") ; culmen, 3.15-3.55 ; tarsus, 2.00-2.20 ; middle 

 toe, 1.10-1.20. 



There is considerable variation among individuals in the depth and continuity of the cinnamon- 

 color on the lower surface. 



The relationship of this form is uncjuestionabh^ very close to L. lapponica, of which it cannot 

 be considered more than a geographical race or sub-species, the differences being very slight, 

 although apparently constant. These consist in the rather paler shade of cinnamon on the lower 

 parts in the summer plumage, and in the grayish instead of distinctly white rump, in all stages of 

 plumage. 



Australian examples appear to be quite identical with those from Alaska. 



This species is included in the fauna of iSTorth America as a summer resident of 

 Alaska Territory, wliere it was met witli by Mr. Dall while engaged on the Telegraph 

 Expedition. Its discovery as a bird of Alaska was one of the most interesting among 

 the results of that survey, as its existence in North America had not been even sus- 

 pected before it bad been thus taken. 



So far as had been previously ascertained, its range, during the winter months, 

 had been over Polynesia, Australia, Eastern and Southern Asia, and Japan. In 

 summer it was known to go north to Siberia, where Middendorff found it breeding 

 on the Taimyr River, in latitude 75° N". Specimens from Polynesia were brought 

 home by tlie United States Exploring Expedition. 



Mr. Swinhoe mentions that a pair of this species was observed feeding in company 

 with a large flock of Godwits in the shalloAvs of the creek at Hungpe, on the Island of 

 Hainan, on the oOtli of March. They Avere secured, and proved to be very nearly in 

 full summer plumage. Three days later another example, in the full winter plumage, 

 was obtained on the sandy shores of Hoehow Harbor. 



Captain F. ^Y. Hutto]i (•' Ibis," 1871) states that this bird Avas seen several times 

 on the Chatham Islands, although he did not succeed in obtaining any specimens. 

 These examples Avere apparently only migratory, leaving the Islands in Avinter. 



In the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, 1858, Mr. Cassin refers to a 

 species of Limosa from Japan, which Mr. Swinhoe states to be probably this one. 

 Both Mr. SAvinhoe ("Ibis," 1875) and Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer mention its 

 occurrence in different parts of Japan, especially Yeso and Yokohama. The Messrs. 

 Layard (" Ibis,'' 1878, p. 262) cite this species as a bird of NeAV Caledonia. 



Mr. Dall states that this species Avas very common at the month of the Yukon 

 Eiver, and also on the Pastolik marshes to the north of it. It is the largest Snipe 

 found in tlie country, being quite as large in body as a Teal, and very excellent eating. 

 He adds that it lays two liglit-olivaceous and spotted eggs in a rounded depression 

 in a sedge tussock, and that the nest consists of a lining of dry grasses. 



Mr. H. W. Elliott met Avith this species from time to time during his stay on the 

 Prybilof Islands, and speaks of it as only migratory there, and never breeding. It 

 comes in a straggling manner early in May, passing northward Avith but little delay, 

 and re-appearing toAvard the end of August in flocks of from a dozen to fifty. 



A set of these eggs, two in number, are in the Smithsonian Collection. One of 

 these measures 2.25 inches in length by 1.45 in breadth. The ground-color of one is 



