206 HISTORY OF THE 



stretch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 13.50 27.50 8.50 3.25 1.75 2.10 



Female... 13.00 27.00 8.30 3.25 1.65 2.10 



Iris ^2ivk brown; bill brownish black, base of under inaudible 

 to forks pale reddish yellow; legs and feet dark greenish blue; 

 claws black. 



The only mention I can find of this species on the Pacific 

 coast south of Alaska is of a single straggler, shot in September, 

 1883, at San Diego, California, reported in "The Auk," Yol. 1, 

 p. 393; but east of the Rocky Mountains it is by far the most 

 numerous of the family, and during the spring migration very 

 abundant west of the Mississippi, where it assembles in large 

 flocks upon the burnt grounds and bare spots on the prairies, to 

 probe for and feed upon the larvae and other forms of life that 

 the warmth from the sun brings early to the surface. Upon 

 their breeding grounds, are said to feed largely upon small ber- 

 ries. Tlieir soft, mellow, whistling note is continually heard as 

 they sweep about over their feeding grounds with regular strokes 

 of their wings, flying swift and low, only sailing when about to 

 alight; and the moment their feet touch the ground raise their 

 wings high and slowly fold them back, much like the Bartra- 

 mian Sandpiper. They move about with an easy step, ever 

 upon the lookout, and off at the first alarm; but, as they are 

 slow to leave tlieir feeding grounds, in circling about often come 

 within easy shot, and when the hunters are distributed the slaugh- 

 ter is often great. The birds are beneficial, and during the 

 spring migration the farmers should see that they are protected. 



The following description of their nest and eggs is from the 

 "North American Water Birds:" 



"Mr. MacFarlane met with this species breeding in great 

 abundance throughout the Barren Grounds up to the Arctic 

 coast, but it was not met with before entering these grounds. 

 The nests — which were found from about June 20th to July 

 10th — were in every instance mere holes in the ground, lined 

 with a few decayed leaves and having a thin sprinkling of hay 

 in the center. It was very difficult to detect the nest of this 

 species, as the parent bird glides off long before a near approach, 



