PECTORAL SANDPIPER. 139 



it is perhaps the least so of its class, and might be described as about 

 the size and build of the Black-heart, dull slaty-blue above, belly and 

 vent white. When in full plumage, the feathers feel soft and silky 

 for a bird of this class, and in certain rays of light seem slightly 

 glossed with i)ur}>le. 



Since the above was written, eight years ago, one or two more 

 specimens ha\e been found at Hamilton. Mr. White got one at 

 Ottawa, and Mr. Cross had one brought to him at Toronto. This 

 tends to show that the bird is a rare straggler so far from the sea. 



It does not appear among the "Birds of Manitoba," nor those of 

 Alaska, but breeds abundantly on the shores of Hudson's Bay and 

 Melville Peninsula. 



Subgenus ACTODROMAS Kaup. 

 TRINGA MACULATA Vieill. 



9S. Pectoral Sandpiper. (239) 



Coloration much as in Bainls Sandpiper, liut crown noticeablj' different from 

 cervix ; chestnut edgings of scapulars, straight-edged ; chin, whitish, definitely 

 contrasted with the heavily ash^^-shaded and sharply dusky-streaked juguhun. 

 Large. Length, 8r,-9 inches; wing, o-oi ; bill, tar.sus and middle toe with claw, 

 about Itj ; bill and feet, greenish. 



Hab. — The whole of North America, the West Indies, and the greater part 

 of South America. Breeds in the Arctic Regions. Of frequent occurrence in 

 Eui'ope. 



Nest, in a tuft 'of grass. 



Eggs, four, pale grayish-butl\ varying to pale olive-green, Ijlotched and 

 spotted with vandyke-brown. 



While on their extended migratory journey in spring and fall, 

 these birds rest and refresh themselves on the marshes and lake 

 shores of Ontario, where they are frequently observed by sportsmen, 

 in flocks of considerable size. 



Near Hamilton they are not of regular occurrence, thougli they 

 occasionally appear in the fall in goodly numbers, and if the weather 

 keeps soft, remain till October. 



While here they frequent the grassy meadows anfl iiuuldy inlets 

 near the Bay, being very seldom noticed on the sand. 



Like several others of the same class, this species has a wide 

 geographical distribution, being found in Iceland, Europe and Asia. 



