152 FEATHERED GAME 



four eggs for its contribution toward the con- 

 tinuance of its race. 



In appearance this species is very near to 

 the white-rumped sandpiper, with the same gen- 

 eral scheme of coloring though of grayer tones 

 and with dusky instead of white on the rump 

 as in the other. The two are close together in 

 measurements ; if there is any difference Baird's 

 is a trifle the smaller, being about seven inches 

 long and about fifteen inches in sail spread. 

 The edges of the feathers are lighter — reddish 

 yellow in this bird — and the feet and legs are 

 black. The young bird in August and the old 

 bird in winter dress are even paler, and at any 

 age and in any plumage Baird's Sandpiper is 

 noticeably lighter in color than is the white- 

 rumped. But if there is any doubt as to the 

 identity of a specimen the white or dusky color 

 of the rump will place the bird at once. The 

 only other '' peep " likely to be mistaken for 

 this one is the '^ grassbird," or pectoral sand- 

 piper, which is considerably larger and has 

 darker centres and ruddier edges to the feath- 

 ers of the upper parts. 



