i pes me 4 DOWITCHER 
. 231. Macrorhamphus griseus. 10.5 in. 
Bill very long like that of the Snipe. Adults in sum- 
mer are reddish-brown below, more or Jess specked with 
black on the breast and barred with black on the sides; 
above mottled with brown and black, hghter, or even 
white, on the rump. In winter, they are gray above 
and white below, the breast being tinged with gray and 
streaked with dusty. Dowitchers are known as Red- 
breasted Snipe and as Robin Snipe by gunners, with 
whom they are great favorites. They usually travel in 
flocks, and often with flocks of other species. Their 
notes are a series of musical whistles, easily imitated, 
and the birds are easily attracted thereby. 
Nest.—As usual on the ground; eggs greenish-buff, 
spotted. 
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the Arctic regions; 
winters south of the U. 8S. 
232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (M. scolopaceus) , 
is found in western N. A. The bill is supposed to be 
longer, but the plumage is identical and the birds prob- 
ably are. 
