74 BULLETIN" 14 6, UlSriTED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



typical loose association is evident in the pliotograph. The birds merely flew 

 round and settled again in the vicinity. 



On windy days these, like other waders, become exceedingly restless and 

 impossible to approach. They then perform the most remarkable gyrations, 

 always but a few feet above the ground, and seldom rising and falling verti- 

 cally, as do so many others. They attain great speed and keep in close 

 formation, moving in absolute unison. As such a flock turns in the sunlight 

 there can be no possible error as to identity, for the whole mass looks yel- 

 lowish. A single bird, in favorable light, may also give one the impression 

 of being yellow. 



George H. Mackay (1892«) says of their habits in Massachusetts: 



Of the few which I have seen I have remarked their extreme gentleness and 

 desire to be in company with other birds. On one occasion I had one alight 

 among my plover decoys on the upland (which they seem very fond of fre- 

 quenting), and, not wishing to shoot it, I allowed it to remain for quite a 

 while so I could watch it. During this time it moved about with unconcern, 

 apparently not being aware that its supposed companions were of wood. It 

 seemed so gentle that I determined to see how near it would permit me to 

 approach, and it was not over 5 or 6 feet from me when it flew away, but 

 only for a short time, however, for it returned and alighted in the course of 

 10 or 15 minutes. Having no desire to shoot it, I allowed it to remain until 

 it departed not to return. All the birds that I have seen come immediately 

 to the decoys on perceiving them, and alight without hesitation or fear. Their 

 flight is rapid, with many turns and zigzag movements, and near the ground, 

 constantly turning up so as to show their entire under parts. 



Much of the behavior of the buff-breasted sandpiper, while on the 

 ground, reminds one of the upland plover; it seems to prefer the 

 grassy places rather than the open flats or shores, and often runs 

 away to hide in the grass rather than fly ; in running it lifts its feet 

 rather high, as if accustomed to walking through grass ; and it often 

 stops and stands with its neck stretched up looking at the intruder, 

 just as the upland plover does. 



Voice. — It is not a noisy bird, and seems to have a limited vocabu- 

 lary. Professor Rowan (1926) says : 



The spring note of the bufiE-breast, on the other hand, is the most unusual 

 and diagnostic wader note that I know. The only thing it reminds me of is 

 the song of the short-billed marsh wren {Cistothorus stcUaris), which pro- 

 duces a very excellent imitation of two stones being chipped together. The note 

 of the buff -breast has the same quality about it ; but, instead of being loud 

 and clear, it is quiet and very short, and might be described as Wc. This 

 species, however, is rather silent. I call this the spring note, but perhaps it 

 should more correctly be termed the adult note, for we have not a single good 

 record of an adult in the autumn, wherefore I am only familiar with young 

 at this season. Like some other waders (e. g. willet), birds of the year have 

 a very different call or calls from spring adults. In the case of the buff-breast 

 the note of the young is so like the pectoral's — Harold considers it shorter and 

 less harsh — that, although distinguishable in the field, it can hardly be de- 

 scribed adequately by itself. 



