232 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



reasons are adduced on the opposite side of the question. With regard to the 

 generic cliaracters there is not the slightest difficulty. The bird presents the 

 closest affinity to the type of the genus Actodromas, (T. minuVi Leisl.,) and 

 is very different from either Tringa or Felidna, in both of which it has been 

 placed. 



This diminutive species, in form, color and general habits, is very closely 

 allied to the preceding, of which it is in fact a perfect miniature. As far as 

 my own observation extends, the same remarks with regard to the manners, 

 voice, flight, &c., apply equally well to this species. It even possesses the 

 curious habit mentioned under the preceding bird. Though so much smaller, 

 its note is fully as loud and piercing. The chief difference is, that in the fall 

 the Least Sandpipers collect in flocks of considerable extent, and that they are 

 found on sandy beaches oftener than are the Pectoral Sandpipers. Neverthe- 

 less, its favorite situations are low muddy flats, and the ditches that intersect 

 marshy and sedgy fields, where it finds an abundance of its favorite food. In 

 Labrador I think I never observed them in any other situations. They search 

 for food with remarkable industry and perseverance, carefully examining with 

 their delicate bills every inch of ground they pass over ; while thus engaged 

 they may be approached within a few feet without showing any signs of fear. 

 Together with the A. Bonapartei and the Ereunetes piisillus, they are known 

 by the common name of " Peeps." On the first of September they had not 

 left the country, being still abundant. 



Actodromas (Hetekopygia) Bonapartei (Schl.) Cassin. — Bonaparte's Sand- 

 piper. "Peep." 



Pelidna cindus, var. Say, Long's Exped. 1823, i. 172. 



Trin/a Schinzii, "Brehm." Bon. Syn. 1828. [Nee Brehm.] fide Gen. Rep. 



Aud. Birds Amer. 1842, v. 275, pi. 335, et al. Auct. Amer. 

 Tringa Bonapartei, Schlegel, Rev. Crit. Ois. Eur. 1844, S9. 

 Tringa {Actodromas) Bonajinrtei, Cassin, Gen. Rep. 722. 



Actodromas (Hetcroptjgia) Bonapartei, Coues, Monogr. Tring. N. A., in Pr. A. 

 N. S. Ph. July, 1861, 199. 

 Audubon, in his account of this species, remarks : " Those procured in Lab- 

 rador were shot in the beginning of August, ami were all young birds, appa- 

 rently about to take their departure." I met it for the first time on the 30th 

 of July ; but on the first of September, when I left the country, they were still 

 as numerous as ever. They are found in great abundance on the rouky shores 

 of Labrador, where covered with sea-weed and interspersed with muddy flats 

 and shallow pools, in which last the birds wade quite up to the breast. I have 

 also frequently seen them in a situation where I never found any other Sand- 

 piper — on the large masses of rock sloping down abruptly to the water, green 

 and slippery from the continued falling of the spray. They seem to be very 

 fond of these locations, and I seldom passed one without seeing several of 

 these " peeps " running nimbly about ; and I have actually approached with- 

 in three or four feet of them, as they stood motionless regarding me with 

 curious eye. Of all the Sandpipers this is the most gentle and unsuspecting ; 

 they seem utterly regardless of the presence of man, and do not intermit their 

 occupation of searching for food, though the observer may be standing within 

 a few feet of them. When startled they emit a low soft " rpeet " very differ- 

 ent from that of any other Sandpiper, and fly off in a very compact flock. If 

 a part of them be killed, the gunner may commit equal havoc with his second 

 barrel, as after a few circliiigs they fly past, or alight again on the same spot. 

 They fly rapidly, in a rather unsteady manner, alternately showing the 

 under and upper parts ; aud they may always be recognized in flight by the 

 couspicuausly white upper tail coverts. They usually ass,aciato with the 



[Aug. 



