SCOLOPACID^ — THE SNIPE FAMILY — EREUNETES. 209 



Captaiu Benclire mentions this species as abundant, during their migrations, in 

 Southeastern Oregon. A few lingered through the month of May, but did not 

 remain to breed. Mr. C. Hart Merriam regards this species as an occasional sum- 

 mer resident in Connecticut, and in one instance it has been known to breed within 

 the limits of that State. Its nest, with eggs — one of which is in my cabinet — Avas 

 found July 20, 1877, at Bradford, by Mr. Walter K. Nichols. The bird was not 

 taken, but the egg is not distinguishable from other eggs of this species. 



Tlie Western form, occurring on the Pacitic coast, does not essentially vary, 

 in habits and peculiarities of nesting, from the other. Dr. Cooper states that it is 

 quite common along the entire Pacific coast, scarcely leaving th?t region, even in 

 midsummer, but frequenting the shores of muddy bays in large flocks, feeding on the 

 worms, Crustacea, and insects left along the edge of the water and on the flats at low 

 tide. Dr. Cooper has obtained it in May and in August as far south as San Pedro, 

 so that possibly it may breed within the State of California. It is found also toward 

 the north in July, visiting the inland fresh-water marshes near the Rocky Mountains. 

 This species associates with other small Sandpipers, and has habits, notes, and 

 flight similar to those of the Eastern bird, from which it cannot be distinguished. 

 This is said to be a rather noisy bird, uttering, when startled, a Avhistling cry that 

 sounds like to-ivheet. It is much hunted for the San Francisco market. This was 

 perhaps the species which Mr. Salvin fovmd so common on the Pacific coast of 

 Guatemala. 



This bird is mentioned by Mr. Dall as being very common at Sitka and Kadiak, 

 where Bischoff obtained many specimens. It is also abundant at Nulato, and along 

 the sea-shore, and on the Yukon River. Mr. Bannister also mentions it as being 

 very common throughout the spring and summer, and as nesting all over the Island 

 of St. Michael's. All the nests he observed were mere hollows in the ground, with 

 nothing more than a few blades of grass for lining, and were generally placed in 

 some dry tuft of grass, at some distance from the water. The bird, when startled 

 from the nest, would generally fly a little distance and then alight, showing but 

 slight timidity. In the month of May, when in pursuit of Ducks and Geese near St. 

 Michael's, Mr. Bannister saw these little birds all around him, within a distance of a 

 few feet, apparently unmindful of his presence, even when he was shooting at Ducks 

 and Geese as they flew overhead. 



Richardson refers to a manuscript left by Hutchins, written about 1770, in which 

 he gives an accurate description of this species, stating also that 'it arrives on Severn 

 River about the iniddle of May in large flocks, building early in June a nest of with- 

 ered grass, and laying four or five black-and-white spotted eggs. Toward autumn 

 it has a chirruping note ; in September it retires south. 



Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding very abundantly on the Arctic coast 

 and on the islands in the bays and along the shores of the Arctic Sea. Some were 

 also found nesting in the Barren Grounds west of Franklin Bay. The nests were in 

 most instances mere depressions in the ground, lined with a few grasses and leaves, 

 dry and partially decayed, and were almost always near small pools of salt or brack- 

 ish water, or inland, near the edge of small ponds. Sometimes the female would 

 glide from her nest, and, pretending to be disabled, would seek to entice away the 

 intruder. If suddenly startled, she would frequently utter disturbed cries. The 

 eggs were usually four in number, and were found from the 20th of June to the 

 10th of July. At times the nests were hidden in tufts of grass, but not always. 

 When driven from her nest, the female, if unmolested, would almost immediately 

 return. In reference to one nest, procured June 30 on the coast of Franklin Bay, 

 VOL. I. — 27 



