70 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
261. UpzLanp Prover (Bartramia longicauda.) 
This Sandpiper is more terrestrial in habits than its rela- 
tive and is a common summer resident over the western half of 
South Dakota. Before the prairies were broken up it nested over 
the entire State. When alighting it has the habit of gracefully 
extending the wings almost perpendicularly over its back. It 
is about eleven and one half inches long, including a one and a 
quarter inch bill. Above, nearly black, with feathers edged with 
buff; throat and belly white; breast and sides marked with dusky 
arrows. 
This bird deserves careful protection by everyone. Nine- 
ty-seven per cent of its food consists of insects, and over one 
half is made up of insects injurious to crops or stock, such as 
grasshoppers, crickets, wire worms and cut worms, and larvae 
of horseflies and cattle ticks. 
262. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (T'ryngites subruficollis.) 
A rare migrant in our State. Length about eight inches. 
‘Above, black, the feathers margined with brown; below, buff 
with black spots. 
263. SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularia.) 
This cosmopolitan Sandpiper may be seen during the sum- 
mer over most of North America. It inhabits the muddy banks 
of ponds and streams, and is always seen alone. From its “teet- 
ering” habit it is often called “Teeter.” Seven and one half 
inches long; brownish gray above, lightly barred with black; 
under parts white with black spots. 
264. Lonc-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus.) 
One of the largest of our “Snipes,” measuring up to twen- 
ty-four inches, including a bill varying in length from four and 
one half to six and one quarter inches, curving downward. Back 
and tail black, barred or blotched with buff; belly buff; breast 
slightly streaked with grayish brown. Its habits are more ter- 
restrial than most of the Shore Birds. 
Although not so abundant in South Dakota as in early 
days it is frequently found nesting on the grassy plains west 
of the Missouri River. 
