SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER 267 



bill, the size, larger than the little Semipalmated Sandpiper, 

 so often associated with it, serve to identify it when at rest. 

 When flying, the line of conspicuous white spots in the 

 wing, like the Spotted Sandpiper's, is an excellent field- 

 mark. 



Semipalmated Saxdpiper. Ereunetes pusillus 



6.30. Bill .65 -.80 



Ad. in spring. — Under parts brownish-gray, mixed with black; 

 breast spotted with black; rest of lower parts white; legs black. 

 Ad. in fall. — Upper parts plain grayish; breast unspotted. Im. 

 — Upper parts gray, mixed with black and a little reddish- 

 brown; under parts white, a dusky wash across the breast. 



The Semipalmated Sandpiper is a common migrant along 

 the sea-coast in May, July, August, and September. It not 

 infrequently occurs on the shores of inland lakes, and is an 

 abundant fall migrant in the Hudson Valley. Gunners call 

 this species and the Least Sandpiper, with which it often 

 associates, "Peep." 



The Least prefer the sloughs or muddy pools in the 

 marshes ; the Semipalmated frequent the beaches, but both 

 species may occur in either place. Both species associate 

 with Sanderling on the beach, and with White-rumped Sand- 

 pipers and King-necks both on the beach and in the marsh. 

 When with Eing-necks, the difference in behavior is amus- 

 ing : the Eing-necks scatter about and stand in thoughtful 

 attitudes; the Peep feed with nervous haste, head down, 

 and bill in the sand. 



When startled, the Semipalmated Sandpipers utter a little 

 rough peep, and fly in compact bands further up the beach ; 

 they have also a very pretty whinnying note, and in May 

 occasionally utter the love-song, a series of sweet notes de- 

 livered in the air. When the Least and Semipalmated 

 Sandpipers occur side by side, it is evident that the former 

 has more chestnut-brown in the back, and a darker wash on 



