PECTORAL SANDPIPER. 139 



it is perhaps the least so of its class, and might be described as about 

 the size and build of the Black-heart, dull slaty-blue above, belly and 

 vent white. When in full plumage, the feathers feel soft and silky 

 for a bird of this class, and in certain rays of light seem slightly 

 ■ glossed with purple. 



Since the above was written, eight years ago, one or two more 

 specimens have been found at Hamilton. Mr. White got one at 

 Ottawa, and Mr. Cross had one brought to him at Toronto. This 

 tends to show that the bird is a rare straggler so far from the sea. 



It does not appear among the "Birds of Manitoba," nor those of 

 Alaska, but breeds abundantly on the shores of Hudson's Bay and 

 Melville Peninsula. 



Subgenus ACTODROMAS Kaup. 

 TRINGA MACULATA Vieill. 



98. Pectoral Sandpiper. (239) 



Coloration much as in Baird's Sandpiper, but crown noticeably different from 

 cervix ; chestnut edgings of scapiilars, straight-edged ; chin, whitish, definitely 

 contrasted with the heavily ashy-shaded and sharply dusky-streaked juguluni. 

 Large. Length, 8^,-9 inches; wing, o-5A ; bill, tarsus and middle toe with claw, 

 about H; bill and feet, greenish. 



Hab. — The whole of North America, the West Indies, and tlie greater part 

 of South America. Breeds in the Arctic Regions. Of frequent occurrence in 

 Europe. 



Nest, in a tuft'of grass. 



Eggs, four, pale grayish-buff, varying to pale olive-green, blotched and 

 spotted with vandyke-biowu. 



While on their extended migratory journey in spring and fall, 

 these birds rest and refresh themselves on the marshes and lake 

 shores of Ontario, where they are frequently observed by sportsmen, 

 in flocks of considerable size. 



Near Hamilton they are not of regular occurrence, though they 

 occasionally appear in the fall in goodly numbers, and if the weather 

 keeps soft, remain till October. 



While here they frequent the grassy meadows and muddy inlets 

 near the Bay, being very seldom noticed on the sand. 



Like several others of the same class, this species has a wide 

 geographical distribution, being found in Iceland, Europe and Asia. 



