30 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



Gallinago wilsonii. 



Common during the migration, and often in winter ; but are 

 somewhat uncertain. They frequent the marsh, &c. ; but rarely, 

 if ever, the more open ground about the harbor. 



Macrorhamphus griseus. 



Yery abundant during the migration, and perhaps some winter, 

 as the}'^ may be taken in December. They occur in large flocks 

 on the sand-bars and mud-flats, as well as on the salt meadows; 

 and afford excellent shooting. They are not so common in the 

 spring, and the passage is more rapid. 



Pelidna americana. 



Yery abundant, April and May, and September to November ; 

 some may remain all winter. A large part of them attain their per- 

 fect dress before leaving in the spring ; and it is partly retained by 

 many during the full migration, when, however, most of them are 

 in plain gray plumage. The vernal change begins earlj^ in April, 

 soon after the main body arrives from the south. Even in spring 

 they -are often found exceedingly fat ; and in the fall their corpu- 

 lence seems only limited by the capacity for expansion of the 

 skin. In examining a great number, I found a variation of a third 

 of an inch in the length of the bill ; but this is alwa^'s consider- 

 ably over an inch long, and never quite straight. They seem to* 

 prefer muddy flats to the beach, and are among the most snipe- 

 like of the sandpipers. 



Actodromas bonapartei. 



Common, during the migration, associating in flocks with 

 several other species. The larger size, and conspicuously white 

 rump, mark it at once from Ereunetes, and the next species, its 

 most frequent companions. 



This little species is liable to be found in sandy and muddy 

 places throughout North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 It breeds in Labrador, where, in July and August, it is one of the 

 most abundant shore birds ; and in various parts of British 

 America. I found it migrating through Kansas in May. 



Actodromas minutilla. 



Extremely abundant, April and May, and August to October, 

 both on the beach, in flocks with the next, and also in muddy 

 meadows. 



[May 2, 



