128 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



out the greater part of the United States it occurs only during the migra- 

 tions. In winter it goes south into South America, though many remain 

 in the States. The nest is only a sHght depression in the grass or moss 

 of a bog. It has been erroneously called "English" Snipe, for it is a 

 native of this country, and distinct from any European species, though 

 resembling t\yo of them, G. media and G. gallinula. 



521. Red-breasted Snipe; Gray Snipe — macrorhamphus griseus. 

 The eggs of this species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those 

 of Wilson's Snipe; four eggs is the usual complement laid; they are gen- 

 erally long, narrow, and pointed in shape, measuring from 1.62 to 1.75 long 

 by 1. 10 to 1. 15 broad. This variety of the Red-breasted Snipe is sup- 

 posed to inhabit Eastern North America. It breeds in high latitudes, 

 even to the Arctic coast of North America. On the Atlantic coast it 

 may be seen on the shores in small flocks during the migrations. It is 

 chiefly migratory in the United States, but winters in the south, Mexico, 

 West Indies and Central America. Nests in a depression of the ground. 

 Brown-back and Dowitcher are other names for it. 



527a. Red-bellied Snipe; Greater Gray-back — macrorhamphus gris- 

 eus SCOLOPACEUS. This bird, whose size is larger and ' bill longer than 

 those of the last, inhabits North America at large, but is supposed to be 

 rare on the Atlantic coast. Breeds in the far north. In the West the 

 birds gather in dense flocks, and they being of a gentle and confiding dis- 

 position and so closely huddled together that great slaughter may be 

 effected by the gunner if so disposed. Eggs and nesting same as the last. 

 It is also called Western Dowitcher and Greater Long-beak. 



529. Knot; Robin Snipe — tringa canutus. Varying from greenish 

 to yellowish-ash, dotted irregularly, with different shades of umber and 

 reddish-brown; pyriform ; usually four eggs is the nest-complement; size 

 about 1.46 by 1. 10. This handsome species, so remarkable for its sea- 

 sonal differences of plumage, is the largest of the North American Sand- 

 pipers. It inhabits most parts of the world; in America chiefly coastwise, 

 and breeds in high latitudes. It is migratory, and is also found in the 

 interior about large bodies of water and rivers. I mounted a fine male 

 specimen in full breeding plumage which was killed at Licking Reservoir, 

 Ohio, May 27, 1878. The eggs are deposited in a slight depression of 

 the ground. Red breasted Sandpiper, Ash-colored Sandpiper and Gray- 

 back are other names for it. 



