120 BULLETIN 142, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



more than 100 in the other. Vegetable debris, amounting to 3 per cent by bulk 

 of the stomach contents, also was present, and it probably was picked up 

 incidentally with the midge larvae. Included in the vegetable matter were 

 seeds of bottle brush (Hippuris vulgaris), sedge (Carex sp.), and water chick- 

 weed (Montia fontana). 



Behavior. — I have never been able to discover any differences in 

 behavior between the two forms of the dowitcher; their habits are 

 doubtless similar. Some gunners think that they can distinguish 

 the two forms by their notes, but the differences in notes are prob- 

 ably due to individual variations in a somewhat varied vocabulary. 

 John T. Nichols (1920) one of the closest students and best authori- 

 ties on shore birds' notes, says " the chances are there is no significant 

 difference in the calls of the two races." 



Fall. — S. F. Rathbun has sent me the following notes on the habits 

 of this bird on its migrations through the State of Washington: 



The long-billed dowitcher will be found in the company of almost any of 

 the shore birds, in flocks of varying numbers, and even as single individuals, 

 but appears to show somewhat of a partiality for the company of the black- 

 bellied plover and the red-backed sandpiper. On this coast both its spring 

 and autumnal migrations seem to be somewhat prolonged, for in the case of 

 the former we have records from April 11 until late in May ; and for the latter 

 from early August until into November. It will be found alike on the sandy 

 beaches and the muddy flats, seemingly showing no particular preference for 

 either. When the tide is at its ebb on the flats the birds of times become widely 

 scattered and single ones may be found in unexpected places. On one occasion 

 as we were walking across a grassy marsh the head and neck of a long-billed 

 dowitcher was seen exposed above the growth along the edge of one of the 

 little channels running through the marsh. As we approached the bird it 

 could be seen making attempts to rise, but this it was unable to do on account 

 of being impeded by the length of the grass, and we drove the bird ahead until 

 an open spot was reached when it then took wing, at this time being but a few 

 feet away. 



On various occasions while we were watching flocks of the small sandpipers 

 about some bit of water, dowitchers would fly past and, being attracted by the 

 calls of other birds, they then after circling for a moment or two would alight 

 at the pool to feed. When thus engaged they give the impression of being 

 somewhat deliberate in their actions and as they moved about some would 

 frequently wade up to their breasts into the shallow water, often so remaining 

 until by some action they seemed to lose a footing and when this occurred 

 a retreat would be made into a more shallow part. Oftentimes one or more 

 birds would suddenly cease feeding and assume a posture of repose and when 

 this took place it was a common occurrence to see some standing on but one 

 leg, thus to remain motionless for a time. 



Dowitchers do not appear to be very shy when found in the flocks of the 

 smaller sandpipers, but are the first birds to retreat as one approaches the 

 flock ; and on such occasions it is generally the case that one or more of them 

 will suddenly take wing and put the entire flock in motion. They are swift- 

 flying birds and when on the wing have a somewhat harsh note that is given 

 from time to time. In their spring dress they are attractive, as at this time 

 their under parts are a rich buff color, and a flock of dowitchers seen at this 

 season with the light striking full on their breasts is indeed a handsome sight. 



