384 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology. 



At the latter place they were first seen May 23, about twenty-five, 

 in pairs and small groups. In the early spring they are about the 

 pools and seldom on the more dry tundra as they are in late summer. 

 All were paired by May 29. 



Though I had read the excellent descriptions of the breeding habits 

 of this bird by Murdoch and Nelson I was very much astonished at the 

 volume and ventriloquial quality of the hooting of the male, and on 

 first hearing the sound I did not believe it came from so small a bird 

 as a sandpiper. 



Several scattered pairs bred in the vicinity of Demarcation Point, 

 three sets of four eggs each being found. Eggs about one quarter 

 incubated were found on June 21 and 25. A set about to hatch was 

 taken June 26. 



I had considerable difficulty in finding the first nest for the bird 

 incubating (the female in each case) acted quite differently from other 

 waders with which I am familiar. 



On approaching the vicinity of the nest the bird would leave it 

 quietly and walk slowly about feeding and showing no excitement 

 whatever. This happened several times until I decided to watch the 

 bird and see if by any chance she might have a nest. In a short time 

 she walked to a bunch of grass a few feet from me and settled on the 

 nest. Even while I was packing away the eggs she showed no concern. 

 I had precisely the same experience with the other two nests. 



All the nests were cavities lined with dry willow leaves, and well 

 concealed in comparatively long grass near pools. 



This species was common about CoUinson Point early in August, 

 1913, and three specimens were taken at Cape Serdze July 17, 1913. 

 At Herschel Island Mr. Dixon found them abundant during the early 

 part of August 1914. 



PiSOBIA BAIRDI (CoUCs). 

 BAIRD's SANDPIPER. 



Several pairs of Baird's Sandpipers bred in the vicinity of Demarca- 

 tion Point, where they arrived in pairs on May 23. They were seen 

 equally on dry and wet tundra. 



Only once did 1 note any courtship activity. On this occasion 

 (May 24), the male would fly a few feet above the female, while she 

 rested on the ground, with quick erratic wing strokes suggesting a 

 Nighthawk. Frequently he would alight and raise the wings high 



