650 THE KNOT. 
The typical breeding range is Alaska, and Nelson found them mating at 
the mouth of the Yukon about June rst. “Two or three males start in pursuit 
of a female and away they go twisting and turning, here and there, over 
marsh and stream, with marvelous swiftness and dexterity. At short dis- 
tances a male checks his flight for a moment to utter a strident peét u wéet; 
wee-too, wée-too; then on he goes full tilt again. After they are mated, or 
when a solitary male pays his devotions, they rise 15 or 20 yards from the 
ground, where, hovering upon quivering wings, the birds pour forth a lisping 
but energetic and frequent musical song, which can be very imperfectly ex- 
pressed by the syllables peét-peet; pée-ter-wee-too; wée-too; pée-ter-wée-too; 
pée-ter-wée-too ; wée-too; wee-too. This is the complete song, but frequently 
only fragments are sung, as when the bird is in pursuit of the female.” 
The eggs, four in number, and closely resembling those of the Wilson 
Snipe, are placed in a shallow depression formed by the bird’s body in the soft 
moss which covers the ground in that region. 
No. 259. 
KNOT. 
A. O. U. No. 234. Tringa canutus Linn. 
Synonyms.—Rosin Snipe. Gray SNIPE. 
Description.—Adult in summer: Upperparts light gray, streaked centrally 
with black (narrowly on crown and nape, broadly on back and scapulars), and 
varied irregularly with some ochraceous buff; primary coverts and primaries 
blackish, the latter with white shafts; upper tail-coverts with subterminal U- or 
V-shaped markings of dusky; tail uniform, grayish brown; underparts in general 
pale cinnamon-rufous; cheeks and superciliary region washed with same, and 
dusky-streaked ; paler or white on belly; crissum, under tail-coverts, thighs, lin- 
ing of wings, and sides white—the last two and sides of breast more or less 
dusky-barred; bill and feet greenish black. Adult in winter: Above plain ashy 
gray; upper tail-coverts and tail as before; underparts white; the sides of neck, 
fore-neck, and chest with faint dusky streaks, or irregular bars, and the sides 
similarly barred. Jmmature: Above, ashy gray, mottled with dusky on crown; 
with whitish edging and narrow submarginal dusky on feathers of back and scap- 
ular region; the fore-breast flecked or streaked, but not barred, with dusky; 
otherwise much as in winter plumage adult. Length 10.00-11.00 (254-279.4); 
wing 6.50 (165.1) ; tail 2.31 (58.7); bill 1.34 (34); tarsus 1.23 (31.2). 
Recognition Marks.—Robin size; called “Robin Snipe” from the cinnamon- 
rufous of breast (in summer); the largest of the Tring@; found coastwise. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Washington. Nest: on the ground. Eggs: 
only one specimen known,—that taken from bird by Lieutenant Greely, near 
a. E. W. Nelson: “Rep, of Natl, Hist, Colls, Made in Alaska. 1877-1881," p. ror. 
