246 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



alluring antics are performed to endeavour to decoy an 

 intruder from the nest. Many eggs of this species are 

 collected for food. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of Bartram's Sandpiper are four in number. 

 They are not quite so pear-shaped as usual, smooth in 

 texture, and vary from pale grayish-buff to pale buffish- 

 brown in ground colour, spotted and blotched with 

 reddish-brown, and with underlying markings of gray. 

 The markings are not large, and the surface spots are 

 more or less circular, becoming most numerous on the 

 larger end of the ^%Q,y where occasionally a few fine 

 streaks of dark brown occur. Average measurement, 

 r8 inch in length, by 1*3 inch In breadth. Incubation is 

 performed by the female, but the duration of the period 

 is not determined. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of Bartram's 

 Sandpiper are readily distinguished by their size and 

 colouration from those of all other allied species in the 

 Nearctic region. 



Family CHARADRIID^. Genus Totanus. 



Sub-family TOTANINM. 



SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 



Totanus macularius {Liimceus). 



(British : Rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant.) 



Single Brooded. Laying season, June. 



Breeding area: Nearctic region. The Spotted 

 Sandpiper breeds in all suitable districts throughout the 

 United States and British North America, as far north 

 as about lat. 60°. 



