THE LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. 649 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Washington. Nest: on the ground. Eggs: 4, 
like those of preceding species. Av. size, 1.74 X 1.21 (44.2 x 30.8) (Ridgw.). 
General Range.—Western North America, breeding in Alaska to the Arctic 
Coast; migrating south in winter thru the western United States (including 
Mississippi Valley) to Mexico and, less commonly, along the Atlantic Coast. 
Range in Washington.—Regular migrant along the coast and on Puget 
Sound; less common in the interior (Hoover, May 3, 1907). 
Authorities.—Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, p. 713. “Washington 
Territory (Dr. Suckley).” [C&S. 238, under M/. griseus—specimen described 
unquestionably referable to M. s.| T. L?. Rh. B. 
Specimens.—(U. of W.) Prov. B. 
AT first sight, and upon the ground, the Dowitcher might be mistaken 
for a Wilson Snipe, but immediately we have conceded so much, points of dif- 
ference bristle into view. At rest the Dowitchers never think of hiding in the 
grass, as does the Jack Snipe, for they feed instead along in the open on the 
muddy bank of a stream, or upon the sand-bars which emerge as the tide goes 
out. Nor do they wait altogether for the water to retire, but wade in and 
probe the bottom to the limit of their legs and bills. In flight they move 
swiftly and directly, usually at a slight distance from the ground, and one 
catches flashes of white from the lower back and rump, which set all doubts as 
to identity at rest. 
Dowitchers are very fond of company, and usually move about in small 
flocks numbering from half a dozen to a score of individuals. They are fond, 
too, of imposing their company upon other snipe people, and seldom do they 
neglect an opportunity of attaching themselves to a flock of Curlews or 
Plovers, or any of the smaller Sandpipers. Once when I was levelling at a 
trio of Black-bellied Plovers (Squatarola squatarola), and had my head buried 
under a focusing cloth, I was surprised upon looking up to find as many more 
unbidden guests, motionless, as is the wont of birds just lighted, and invisible 
upon the ground-glass by reason of their similarity to the background of 
sand. 
These plain birds are modest, as becomes their attire, gentle, and unwary, 
save as cruelly disciplined by the gunner. They possess, too, that fatal gift of 
sympathy, which bids them tarry for their fallen comrades, and affords the 
gunner a second opportunity. 
This species may undoubtedly be found upon the borders of lakes in 
Eastern Washington during migrations, but it is much more common on Puget 
Sound and along the Straits of Juan de Fuca in April and September. Suckley 
regarded them as summer residents near Fort Steilacoom, and cites the ex- 
ample of a female killed on the 5th of May, which from the appearance of her 
plumage he thought to be a sitting bird. But there are no recent instances and 
the observer might have been mistaken in his conclusions. 
