BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 127 



coverts on each side varied with whitish. Middle tail-feathers 

 brownish-black, the others plain gray with paler margins. 

 Jugulum tinged with light, dull yellowish-brown, spotted and 

 streaked with illy-defined blackish markings, as are also the 

 sides under the wings. Throat and other under parts white, 

 unmarked. Feet black like the bill. 



"Length, 7^; extent, 15^; wing, 4.9; bill, 0.85; tarsus and 

 middle toe and claw the same. " 



TRINGA MINUTILLA Vieillot. (242. ) 

 LEAST SANDPIPER. 



Abundant everywhere in Minnesota during the migrations. 

 The numbers greatly reduced about the first week in May, but 

 no time during the remainder of the season when there is not 

 a fair representation until after the first sharp frosts. They 

 reach the locality where I live, about the 20th of April, in 

 backward seasons still later. Their first appearance here is in 

 flocks of ten to fifteen, which after about ten days more, grow 

 steadily less in numbers until the species entirely disappears 

 as flocks. 



There is no week in all the summer when at least one indivi- 

 dual may not be seen in the course of a day's collecting in the 

 marshes, amongst the muddy, or sandy shored ponds and 

 sloughs, or along the pebbly beach of a clear pure lake. 

 Never more than one at a time until in August, when the num- 

 ber increases from time to time, until by the 20th, they are seen 

 in considerable flocks. Of course they are breeding, but just 

 where, how, and when, are the unanswered questions still 

 pending. Four eggs were brought to me in 1880, said by the 

 kindly donor to be those of the Least Sandpii)er, and I guess 

 that they were, but how am I to knoiu? The bird which covered 

 them had not been secured. They answered the description, 

 " Buffy-yellow, thickly spotted with brown and drab." But 

 there are others that have all of these characteristics. I am not 

 certain that I have ever seen the eggs of this species. But I 

 do not hesitate to say that the Least Sandpiper breeds nearly 

 everywhere in the State. 



Dr. Hvoslef reports the species present at Lanesboro late in 

 May, and on the 4th of August, 1879. Mr. Washburn, who visi- 

 ted the Red river valley on the 28th of July, 1885, and re- 

 mained until the 12th of September, found them at Orookston 

 "in muddy fields, and on plowed ground, over which water 

 was standing; and again at Mud lake." He further remarlcs 



