SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 



SCOLOPACID^.] 



TOTANUS MACULARIUS (Linn^us). 



Explanation of Plate. 



Figure 1. Toronto Island, Ontario, June 4, 1886. 



„ 2. Ontario, June 13, 1889. 



„ 3. Old Saybrook, Connecticut, June 1, 1891. 



„ 4. Petersburg, Michigan, May 20, 1891. ) In collection of H. Massey, Esq. 



„ 5. Ontario, July 2, 1887. 



„ 6. Castletown, Vermont, June 9, 1889. 



„ 7. Rutland, Virginia, June 11, 1890. 



„ 8. Labrador. In collection of E. Bidwell, Esq. 



„ 9. Toronto Island, Ontario, June 20, 1889. In collection of H. Massey, Esq. 



This American species is a very rare visitor to England and Scotland. 



Eefeering to the distribution and breeding of this Sandpiper in North America, 

 Dr. Cones writes * : — " Although reaching high latitudes, such as that of the 

 Yukon, this little species, unlike most of its allies, breeds with equal readiness 

 almost throughout the country, and is one of the best known and most abundant 

 of its tribe. It nests in a field or orchard, generally near water, laying four 

 creamy or clay-coloured eggs, blotched with blackish-brown and neutral tint. 

 From the Southern States, where it spends the winter, as it also does much 

 further south, it reaches the Middle districts about the 15th of April, and is 

 found along the streams and ponds of the interior, as well as on the coast. 

 Many stop to breed all along the line of migration, while others pass on at least 

 to Labrador. Eggs may be found all through June and July, according to 

 latitude, and perhaps in some cases more than one brood may be raised. 



" According to Mr, Trippe, in the mountains of Colorado this is the only 

 species of its family that is abundant throughout the summer. It arrives at 

 Idaho Springs early in May, leaving in September. It pushes up all the larger 

 streams to an altitude of 8000 or 9000 feet, and even, occasionally, to the shores 

 of the lakes near the timber-line." 



* ' Birds of the IVorth-'West,' p. 502. 



