Notes on the Spotted Sandpiper 81 



49. Tehnatodyies paltistris iliacus. Prairie Marsh Wren. Nests com- 

 monly in the reeds growing in the ends of the larger ponds. 



50. Planesticus migratorius migratorius. Eobin. Common. Builds 

 in the groves and about the houses. 



NOTES ON THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 

 By Arthur F. Smith. 



During the summer of 1913 the writer was privileged to be 

 present at the session of the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, on 

 Lake Okoboji, Iowa. There are many opportunities here for 

 the intensive study of the life and behavior of birds, and 

 such work is encouraged by the Laboratory. 



In the summer of 1913 two nests of the Spotted Sand- 

 piper (Actitis niacidarius) were found, and at the suggestion 

 of Dr. T. C. Stephens the writer followed their history some- 

 what carefully. Both of the nests were located similarly, 

 viz., near the extremity of long, low sand spits projecting 

 into the lake for a distance of two hundred yards or more. 

 In each case the nest was about seventy-five feet from the 

 point. The nests, which were located on Gull Point and the 

 Sand Spit in Miller's Bay respectively, may now be considered 

 separately. 



The nest on Gull Point was found on Friday, June 27, at 

 5:30 P.M. At this time it contained four eggs. The ground 

 at this point was sandy, covered by a sparse growth of fox- 

 tail grass and a few weeds. The neck of land here was not 

 over thirty or forty feet in width, and was quite low. The 

 nest was afforded very little concealment among the short, 

 dry grass ; but, nevertheless, the nest itself is so inconspicuous 

 that it is seen with difficulty even at close range. It was 

 noted that when the parent bird was on the nest her colors 

 harmonized quite perfectly with the surrounding vegetation 

 and ground. The eggs also presented little or no contrast 

 with the environs of the nest. 



Visits were made to this nest on June 29, July 1, 5, 7, 8, 

 10, and 13, and on each occasion one of the parents was 



