t44 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



European Woodcock. Scolopax rusticola Linn. (227) 



Similar to the common Woodcock, but decidedly larger and with the 

 under parts conspicuously barred with dark brown. 



A bird of the Old World, occurring only by accident in eastern North 

 America. 



According to A. B. Covert, a single specimen was taken at Ann Arbor, 

 Mich., May 9, 1870, by Dr. William E. Lewitt (Forest and Stream, VI, 

 402). We have been unable to verify this record, and the specimen has 

 been lost sight of. There are several unquestionable records for the 

 eastern states, and it is supposed that these were wanderers which had 

 reached Greenland, and instead of returning south by way of Europe had 

 crossed to Labrador and moved southward with the hosts of American 

 waders on their autumnal migration. 



Western Red-breasted Snipe. Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus (Say). 



(232) 



Synonyms: Long-billed Dowitcher, Western Brown-bark, Gray-back. 



Similar in all but size to the Red-breasted Snipe, but decidedly larger. 

 Summer adults may be separated by color of plumage, but in winter dress, 

 in which alone they may be seen in Michigan, they are almost identical. 



Distribution. — Western North America, breeding in Alaska to the 

 Arctic Coast, migrating south in winter through the western United States 

 (including the Mississippi Valley) to Mexico, and, less commonly, along 

 the Atlantic Coast. 



We have no satisfactory record of this species in Michigan, but its re- 

 semblance to the preceding species is so close, and so few of either form 

 are taken, that it is not at all unlikely that stragglers may occur. Mr. 

 B. H. Swales took a specimen near Detroit, August 26, 1905, which was 

 referred to Ridgway and identified somewhat doubtfully as belonging 

 to this western form. Mr. Ridgway remarked that "identification in 

 this plumage is very difficult." As already noted, both forms occur in 

 northern Illinois and both have been taken in Wisconsin, although ap- 

 parently not in any numbers. Kumlien and Hollister say of this species 

 "They are known only during migrations and then sparingly. A few 

 appear in May and June, and a very few at that, and again in August 

 and September, but so irregularly that they may pass as rare. We have 

 here a good illustration of what continual spring shooting can accomplish " 

 (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 43). 



In habits this species is the counteri)art of the Red-l)reastcd Snipe. 

 Its nest and eggs are also similar, but the latter are decidedly lai'gor, averag- 

 ing 1.74 by 1.21 inches. 



Purple Sandpiper. Arquatella maritima maritima (Bninn.). (235) 



Synonyms: Rock Snipe, Winter Snijie. 



The general dark color, with ashy breast and entire absence of sti'eaks, 

 spots, or bars, serve to separate this species sharply from any other of 

 similar size. For proportions and other characteristics consult the artificial 

 kej^ on pages 171, 172 of this volume. 



Distribution. — Northern portion!? of Northern Hemisphere; in North 

 America chiefly the northeastern portions; lireeding in the high north, 



