THE W ESTERN SANDPIPER. 661 
male, .85-.95 (21.6-24.1) ; average .88 (22.4) ; female, 1.00-1.15 (25.4-29.2), aver- 
age 1.05 (26.7). 
Recognition Marks.—Like preceding, but brighter (in summer plumage), 
and with bill averaging longer, that of male averaging longer than that of female 
pusillus. 
General Range.—Breeding in Alaska and migrating chiefly thru western 
United States to Central ane South America. Casually eastward to Atlantic Coast 
during migration. 
Range in Washington.—Common during migrations thruout the State; 
sometimes abundant on Puget Sound and western coast. Irregularly resident in 
winter on Puget Sound. Also non-breeding birds present thruout the year. 
Migrations.—Northward movement continuous to middle of May or later; 
southward movement sets in about July 4th. 
Authorities—Lawrence, Auk; Vol: 1X: Jan. 1892) p. 43%. (1). Lt. Rh: 
Rike BoE: 
Specimens.—(U. of W.) Prov. P. B. E. 
THESE birds, with an indeterminable percentage of Least Sandpipers 
(Pisobia minutilla), and a Possible admixture of Semipalmateds, consti- 
tute the immense flocks of “Sand-peeps,” which probably exceed in number 
all other shore birds combined. One somehow gets the impression that they 
are always with us, but the few which linger thru June are unquestionably 
non-breeding birds. By the 1oth of July little wisps of peeps come drifting 
southward along the Pacific shore, stopping every half mile or so for refresh- 
ments, whether upon the sand beaches or upon the barnacle-covered rocks. 
One may encounter a hundred flocks a day at this season, and yet, curiously 
enough, find none containing over a hundred birds, or such a matter. Many 
spots on Puget Sound, however, present more permanent attractions, and the 
birds will assemble to the number of thousands in certain bays which boast 
abundant tributary flats of mud and sand. 
Thus in August, 1905, the Drayton Harbor population numbered some 
5,000 birds. This little army fed regularly at low tide along the California 
Creek flats or in the protected area of Blaine. At high tide, they were to be 
found resting with the gulls upon the pile booms which lay at anchor on the 
lee of Semiahmoo spit. By January of the following year the company had 
been reduced to about one-third of its former dimensions, whether thru the 
defection of those who favored wintering in California, or because of in- 
cessant persecution, I cannot say. 
No better opportunity is afforded to study and speculate upon the mys- 
tery of flock movement than in the case of these gentle peeps. In flock flight 
they weave and twist about, now flashing in the sunlight, now darkening to 
invisibility, charge and recharge, feint and flee, all as a single bird. And be- 
a. It is incredible that Cooper and Suckley should not have seen this bird, but they evidently let it 
pass as Pisobia minutilla. 
