NON-INDIGENOUS BRITISH BIRDS. 245 



Family CHARADRIIDvE. Genus Totanus. 



Sub-family TOTANINAi. 



B A R T R A M 'S SANDPIPER. 



Totanus bartrami ( Wilson), 



(British : Very rare abnormal autumn migrant.) 



Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of May and early 



June. 



Breeding area : Central Nearctic region, Bartram's 

 Sandpiper breeds in Alaska, Rupert's Land, Southern 

 Canada, and the more northerly United States, from 

 Pennsylvania westwards to the Rocky Mountains. 



Breeding habits: Bartram's Sandpiper migrates 

 north in April and May, crossing the prairies in vast 

 numbers as well as following the coasts. For the 

 greater part of the year this Sandpiper is very grega- 

 rious, and even in the breeding season numbers of 

 pairs frequently nest close together, resembling the 

 Lapwing in this respect. The favourite haunts of 

 Bartram's Sandpiper are the open prairies and uplands, 

 especially such as are studded w^ith swamps and open 

 pools : marshy places in wooded districts, where the 

 timber is more or less scattered, are also frequent resorts. 

 The pairing habits of this bird closely resemble those of 

 other Sandpipers. The bird, at that season, may be 

 seen perching on trees and fences, running along the 

 branches or rails with uplifted wings, and uttering a long 

 tremulous note. The nest is always made upon the 

 ground amongst the herbage, and is merely a hollow 

 lined with a little dry grass or a few dead leaves. The 

 bird is a somewhat close sitter, and when alarmed 

 usually runs from the nest, being apparently averse to 

 flying until actually compelled. Very often various 



