204 PR.ECOCIAL GRALLATOEES — LTMICOL.E, 



ing along an extended line of the sliore for thirty yards, alternately and simultane- 

 ously advancing and retreating Avitli the movement of the water. In about three 

 (quarters of an hour they removed a few yards beyond the highest wash of the waves, 

 huddled close together, and began to plume themselves. Suddenly they ceased their 

 occupation, stood still, and several of them uttered a sharp ttceet-ticeet, somewhat 

 like the notes of the Solitary Sandpiper. Soon after this seven other birds of the 

 same species alighted near those he Avas watching, and began to feed. Fearing that 

 the first flock might join them, and he might lose the opportunity of procuring speci- 

 mens, he fired into the flock and killed eleven. He afterward saw them on almost 

 every island and bay on his way to Texas, and also procured some on Galveston 

 Island. He describes its flight as being rapid and regular. This Sandpiper moves 

 in coiiipact flocks, and often when about to alight, or after being disturbed, inclines 

 the body to either side, showing alternately the upper and the lower parts. On foot 

 it moves more like a (Jurlew than a Tringa, and is more sedate in its motions than 

 tlic true Sandpiper. At times, on being approached, it will squat on the ground after 

 the manner of the Escpiinuxux Curlew. Its flesh is said to be extremely delicate. In 

 the stomachs of those he killed he found small worms, minute shelltish, and vegetable 

 substances, among which were hard seeds of some unknown plant. He found great 

 differences in the color of the plumage of those he killed. He adds that its passage 

 tlirougli the United States is very rapid, both in spring and in autumn. A few of 

 tliese birds are said to spend the winter in Lower Louisiana, but nearly all pass on 

 southward beyond Texas. 



Mr. Moore twice met with this species in Florida — once Aug. 4, and again Sept. 

 17, 18G9. Part were in an oozy pool near the Bay of Sarasota ; the rest were in a 

 fresh pond. He had an opportunity of witnessing its manner of feeding from a hid- 

 ing-place near the pond. It Avas feeding in Avater that nearly covered its tarsi. It 

 slowly stepped along, carrying its l)ill immersed nearly up to the base, and sweeping 

 it sloAvly from side to side, mucli in the manner of the Eoseate Siioonbills, Avliicli 

 Avere at the same moment feeding near by. He noticed no action like that of SAval- 

 lowing at any time, its motions being continuous. This accounts for the black mud 

 found in the stomachs of several kinds of Sandpipers : it is taken in by suction, and 

 Avith it probably various kinds of animalculae. 



Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding at Rendezvous Lake, in the Arctic 

 Region, June 27. In situation and composition they are said to be similar to others 

 previously met Avith. The nest contained four eggs, the female having been shot on 

 leaving it. The contents of the eggs Avere very slightly dcA^eloped. This bird was 

 everyAvhere very rare, except on the Arctic coast at Franklin Bay, where it Avas found 

 tolerably abundant. At Island Point, July 5, he obtained two young birds in the 

 doAvn, Avith the female parent. Both parents displayed much courage and ingenuity 

 in defence of their young, tAvo of Avhieh Avere thus enabled to escape. He afterAvards, 

 in the same neighborhood, procured other young in the doAvn, with both parents. 

 Another nest, obtained at Langston Harbor in July, 1805, contained four eggs quite 

 fresh. The nest was a mere depression in the ground, lined Avith a few withered 

 leaves and grasses. Examples of this species were also procured at Fort Resolution 

 by Mr. Kennicott, at Fort Simpson by Mr. B. R. Ross, and at Big Island by j\Ir. 

 J. Reid. 



A set of eggs (S. I. No. 9389) obtained on the Arctic coast by Mr. MacFarlane, 

 June 22, 1863, was in a nest composed of decayed leaves and placed in a holloAv partly 

 concealed by tufts of grass. The eggs are three in number, of an oblong pyriform 

 shape, and have a ground-color of a light and bright drab or grayisli Avhite, Avith large 



