Long-billed Dowitclier 111 



The nest is a mere depression in the grass, generally 

 on or under a sheltering tuft ; it is lined with a few leaves. 

 The eggs, 3 to 4 in number, are somewhat pyriform 

 in shape, and are olive to brownish with bold markings 

 of dark umber and sharp, scratchy lines of black. They 

 measure 1*55 x 1*15. Scott's nest was found in June 

 near Twin Lakes. There is no more definite information 

 on the nesting -date for Colorado. 



Genus MACRORHAMPHUS. 



Bill and position of ear -opening Snipe-like, otherwise resembling 

 a Sandpiper ; wings rather long and pointed ; tail of twelve feathers 

 doubly emarginate ; legs long, tarsus exceeding middle toe and claw ; 

 tibia naked for about an inch above the joint ; toes webbed basally, 

 most fully betv/een the middle and outer toe ; tail-feathers barred. 



The genus contains only one species, forming two subspecies. The 

 western race, which is found in Colorado, is rather larger, has a longer 

 bill, and is rather more highly coloured. 



Long-billed Dowitcher. 

 MacrorJiamphus griseus scolopaceus. 



A.O.U. CheckUst no 232 — Colorado Records — Henshav/ 75, p. 453 ; 

 Allen & Brewster 83, p. 197 ; Drew 85, p. 18 ; Morrison 89, p. 167 ; 

 Cooke 97, pp. 19, 65 ; Hersey & Rockwell 09, p. 115. 



Description.- — Female in sununer— Above, except the rmnp and lower- 

 back, speckled and mottled with black, brown and buff ; a dusky 

 stripe from the eye to the bill ; rump white, upper tail-coverts barred 

 with black ; tail barred black and white ; below bright cttmamon, 

 speckled on the throat, barred along the sides and on the under tail- 

 coverts with dusky ; iris hazel, bill and feet greenish-dusky. Length 

 11-0 ; wing 5-8 ; tail 2-5 ; culmen 2-8 ; tarsus 1-55. 



In winter there is no cinnamon and the bird is grey-brown above, 

 the feathers edged paler, below grey on the neck and breast, paling 

 to white on the abdomen, a white sviperciliary line to the bill and 

 spot below the eye. The male is similar but smaller ; wing 5-70 ; 

 culmen 2-45. 



Distribution. — Breeding fi'om Alaska to British Cokunbia, south and 

 south-east in winter to Florida and Central Mexico. 



In Colorado the Dowitcher is only known as a migrant, and has been 

 reported only from the plains portion of the State east of the Rocky 



