on 
[e} 
iS) 
THE LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. 
ners. The flying birds give out a peculiar shrill whistle, which is easily 
imitated by the sportsman concealed behind his decoys. The birds are easily 
deceived by anything resembling a wader, since they mingle freely with 
other species at all times, and the stupid wooden things deployed upon the 
sand are eagerly hailed and received into prompt fellowship, as the compact 
inass of Dowitchers settles to its fate. ‘The wooden snipe are guiltless, but 
their immobility tempts the shattered flock to return, when it has recovered 
from the first murderous discharge, and few escape to tell the story. 
If, however, a flock contains a few “wise” birds, they may alight at 
some distance from the ambuscade, chattering softly as they come up, but 
motionless and silent as they stand huddled together, until their fears are 
allayed, and they feel safe to scatter for food. The Dowitcher swims 
readily, assisted as it is by a slight webbing of the toes; and it bobs its head 
with a peculiar compensating motion for every stroke.. When wounded, 
it may escape by swimming or by skillful hiding in the grass. 
The Dowitchers pass north rapidly in spring, as those who have im- 
portant business in hand; but they reappear with their young in July or 
August, and pursue a liesurely southward course, being found in latitudes 
corresponding to ours until cold weather sets in. 
No. 228. 
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. 
A. O. U. No. 232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). 
Synonyms.—WESsTERN DowrtcHER; RED-BELLIED SNIPE. 
Description.—4 dult in summer: Similar to preceding species but somewhat 
larger, and with longer bill; pale cinnamon-rufous of under parts more extensive ; 
more heavily barred with blackish on sides. Adult in winter: Indistinguishable 
from M. griseus, except by larger size. Length 11.00-12.50 (279.4-317.5) ; wing 
5.72 (14593); tail 220. (5519)i5 bill’ 2:72 (Go:1); tarsus. 1.53) (38-0) 
Recognition Marks.—Robin to Kingfisher size; as in preceding species, but 
bird larger and with longer bill. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Ohio. 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 through the western United States (including 
Mississippi Valley) to Mexico and, less commonly, along the Atlantic Coast. 
Range in Ohio.—Rare or casual during migrations. 
THIS larger form is normally confined to the western United States, 
but finds its way irregularly eastward to the Atlantic Coast during migra- 
