2 SCOLOPACID^. 



from grassy spots. Their motions on the wing are very similar to those of the 

 latter, and they were rarely shy. On October 1, 1880, they were found scattered 

 singly over the marsh, and rose 30 to 40 yards in advance, and made off with a 

 twisting flight, uttering at the same time a short, soft, metallic 'jjleejJ ' ^pleep,' 

 and, pursuing an erratic, cii'cuitous flight for a time, they generally retiu'ned and 

 settled near the spot whence they started. 



" A single bii'd taken at Fort Clarence, Bering Straits, September 9, by Bean, 

 is the only instance of its occurrence there. On the Commander Islands it occurs 

 during the migrations. I do not think the bird breeds on the American side. 



" On the north shore of Siberia, near North Cape, we found these birds very 

 common, scattered over damp grass flats near the coast, the 1st of August, 1881. 

 The ground was covered with reindeer tracks, and among these the Sharp-tailed 

 Snipe were seen seeking their food. They were very unsuspicious, and allowed 

 us to pass close to them, or circled close about us. From their movements, and 

 other circumstances, I judged that this district formed part of their breeding 

 grounds, whence they reach the neighbouring coast of Alaska in fall. 



" They usually make their first appearance on the shore of Norton Sound the 

 last of August, and in a few days become very common. They sometimes remain 

 up to the 12th of October, and I have seen them searching for food along the 

 tide-line when the ground was covered with 2 inches of snow. When feeding 

 along the edges of the tide-creeks they may almost be knocked over with a paddle, 

 and when a flock is fired into it returns again and again." 



