BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



175 



ally, however, a straggler may be found as late as October. Thus on October 

 13th, 1904, in an easterly storm, I started one in the marshes at Ipswich and 

 made sure of its identity by shooting it. 



The Least Sandpiper, although occasionally found on the beaches, frequents 

 the marshes, singly or in flocks, often associated with other Sandpipers or with 

 the Yellow-legs, among whom they run like pigmies among giants. In the mud- 

 holes or sloughs in the marshes, they are so busy feeding that they can often be 

 approached within a few feet, and I have known them to be killed by haymakers' 

 throwing their rakes at them. I remember at Magnolia nearly catching in my 

 hat a bird that was dozing in the marsh. 



The note of this bird is a simple and trilling whistle easily imitated by 

 the tin peep-whistle, which in the mouth of the gunner calls these birds to their 

 doom. Their call resembles that of the Semipalmated Sandpiper, but is sweeter 

 and more musical. When feeding, they may be heard gently peeping to each 

 other like little chickens. In the spring I have frequently seen them fly over 

 the marsh with wings quivering forcibly downwards, uttering constantly sweet 

 tremulo calls, — the flight song of the species. 



Their small size easily distinguishes them from all other Sandpipers except 

 the Semipalmated. Both are known as " Peep," the latter from its preference 

 for beaches being often called "Sand-peep" while the Least is called "Mud- 

 peep." The semipalmation is of course a diagnostic mark, but this can be seen 

 in life under the most favorable circumstances only. The greenish yellow tarsi 

 and feet of the Least Sandpiper, which can be seen in a good light at some dis- 

 tance, at once distinguish it from the Semipalmated species with its black tarsi, 

 or greenish black in the young. Occasionally a Sandpiper will scratch his head 

 with his foot, thereby displaying the color of the tarsus to good advantage. The 

 Least Sandpiper has the back of a richer brown hue, more like that of other 

 marsh-loving birds, while the Semipalmated Sandpiper has a more sandy colored 

 back. The latter bird is also slightly larger, a difference that is noticed only 

 when the two are side by side. As a rule, the neck and breast are darker in the 

 Least Sandpiper. A Semipalmated Sandpiper in a flock of Least Sandpipers on 

 the marsh at once attracts the eye by these differences, and I have easily distin- 

 guished them at the distance of one hundred yards with the naked eye. As 

 before remarked, there is a slight difference in their call notes. 



