BIRDS FOUND ALOXG THE BEACHES 65 



If disturbed, tlie mother flies a short distance with a 

 sjirill cry and, hidini^ behind a tussock, watches the 

 intruder but makes no attem[)t to defend. 



By September 1 the adults are iu winter plumage and 

 ready for their trip south. 



242. LEAST SANDPIPER, OR MEADOW OXEYE. 



Pisohia minutilla. 



Family : The Snipes and Sandpipers. 



Length. 5.00-7.00. 



Adults in Summer: Upper parts tlnsk}-, nearly black ; feathers edged 



with light red-brown ; Tiiiddle tail-feathers black, outer ones gray ; 



upper throat, belly, and sides white ; neck and breast yellowish 



white, streaked with dusky. 

 Adults in Winter: Upper parts lighter than in summer, and clouded 



with dusky ; under parts light gray, finely streaked with darker. 

 Youwj : Similar, but with heavy black streak through crown and middle 



of back. 

 Geographical Distribution : North America, wintering from the Gulf 



States southward. 

 Breeding Range : From Canada to arctic regions. 

 Breeding Season : May 15 to June 15. 

 Nest: A slight depression in the dry ground near water; usually lined 



with leaves and grasses. 

 Eggs: 3 or 4 ; light gray, speckled with cinnamon and lavender. Size 



1.15 X 0.85. 



These tiny little Sandpipers arc commoidy found in 

 flocks, alone or in company with the semi[)alm:ited sand- 

 pipers, along: tlie shores of the bays and lakes of Cali- 

 fornia during the fall, winter, and sprinu^. They tri{) 

 lightly along the beaches, just at the edge of the water, 

 with a dainty bobbing walk, scurrying out of the reach 

 of a wave, picking up bugs and water insects, and so 

 absorbed in tiie fun tliiit they forget to be afraid. Mr. 



5 



