234 PR^COCTAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOL^. 



and habits they closely resembled the European Dunlin, flying in a body, suddenly 

 wheeling round, dis[)laying alternately their light under-parts and dark backs, and 

 usually raising their wings over their backs before alighting, which they all do at the 

 same moment. 



Mr. Boardman informs me that this species is quite common, both in the spring and 

 in the fall, near Calais, where it is seen in company with the Conuuou Snipe, and where 

 it feeds exclusively on the fresh-water marshes and in the uplands. It is distin- 

 guished from the Common Snipe b}' the name of the Jack Snijje. In j\Iassachusetts 

 this is one of the earliest of the migratory Waders, appearing about the middle of 

 July. It is also one of the last to leave, as its migrations continue longer than those 

 of any other bird, ov until the middle or the end of October. If it appears at all in 

 its spring migrations, it passes north rapidly, or goes through in the night, and its 

 passage has not been noted. Major Wedderburn speaks of it as more numerous 

 in Bermuda th^n Bonaparte's Sandpiper. It was not noticed prior to Sept. 20, 1847, 

 on which day two of them Avere taken. After this the birds became common in all 

 the swampy ponds and bays. On the 9th of October, 1849, they appeared all at once 

 in thousands, particularly at St. George, after a heavy gale of wind. The parade- 

 ground at that place was swarming with them, and one of the officers killed between 

 four and live hundred before breakfast. With the exception of a few stragglers, all 

 were gone by the following day. 



According to Mr. Moore, this bird occurs in Florida, but only in the early winter. 



Mr, Dresser noted the appearance of the Pectoral Sandpiper near Matamoras in 

 July, 1863. It was not frequenting the salt-water lagoons, but was oftener found on 

 the banks of the Rio Grande, or near small pools after a rain. In April, 1864, he 

 observed several small flocks of four or five about the water-holes near San Antoiuo, 

 and in May he shot three at Howard's Eaneli on the Medina Eiver. 



In some seasons, according to Giraud, this species is quite plentiful on the shores 

 of Long Island. It appears generally to have been overlooked by the hunters. In 

 the spring it is not seen there in large numbers, but it apparently hastens on to its 

 breeding-places with but little pause. Iteturning to Long Island in August, it ap- 

 pears in increased numbers on the necks of land in the immediate vicinity of tide- 

 water, and is also found among the islands in the bay. Although large numbers are 

 sometimes seen occupying the same feeding-grounds, it does not seem to be a social 

 bird, but each one appears to be intent only on providing for its own comfort, and to 

 be entirely regardless of its companions. In feeding, the flock scatters over the bare 

 places which occur on the moist ground frequented by them, and when thus employed, 

 they remain silent. They are by no means wary, and regard the approach of the 

 hunter with intlifference. On one occasion, when Mr. Giraud fell in with a large 

 flock, he walked up to within a close shooting distance of the nearest one, appearing 

 to be entirely unnoticed. Although there were upward of fifty in view, yet they 

 were so widtdy distributed that it was impossible to get two of them in range ; nor 

 could he effect this during a hunt, in the course of which he obtained twenty-one 

 birds at as many different shots. At the report of the gun the survivors flew on a 

 short distance, and resumed their previous occupation. During this repeated firing 

 he did not observe a single individiaal pass beyond the limits of the meadow, which 

 was only a few acres in extent. As this bird flies up when surpristnl, it presents 

 a fair mai'k, and if allowed to proceed, flies steadily at a short distance above 

 the ground. It feeds on various kinds of minute insects, and also on the small 

 shellfish which lie near the surface, but at times may be seen boring with its bill to 

 a greater depth. On dissection, particles of plants have been found in its stomach. 



