"THE bi ARTR. AMI ANS SANDPIP ER. 527 
a young male, was taken at the Licking Reservoir, November 10, 1872, by 
Dr. Theodore Jasper. The second, also a young male, with the ruff cause el- 
oped, was “killed near the Starch factory, Columbus, O., April 28, 1878,” 
presumably by the same collector. Another specimen from “northern Can- 
ada” bears date of April 28, 1877. 
It is supposed that birds observed in the fall are mainly young of the 
year, which, in attempting to journey southward from the breeding grounds 
in the far north, have missed the customary route of the species. Similarly 
those seen in the spring are those which have found a chance resting place 
for the winter in the Middle or Southern States and are now feeling their 
way back to the ancestral home. 
The Ruff enjoys the doubtful distinction among the wading birds of 
being a polygamist. ‘The males wage daily battles for possession of the 
females, and are as indiscriminate in their choices as Prairie Cocks under 
similar circumstances. "The contestants bridle before each other, and meet 
with lowered heads and ruffs expanded to serve both as color challenges and 
shields, while they strike and kick at each other, and long for imaginary spurs. 
When the season of courtship is ended the victorious male loses both his 
ruff and his interest, and the poor Reeves (as the females are called) are left 
to bring up their families as best they may, without either advice or alimony 
from their recreant lord. 
No. 246. 
BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER. 
A. O. U. No. 261. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.). 
Synonyms.—‘“THEr BARTRAMIAN”; UpiAnp PrLover; FIELD PLOVER. 
Description.—Adult: Above, varied brown or dusky with a slight olive 
tinge, the feathers edged with ochraceous-buff, and on the back, etc., spotted and 
barred with black; top of head blackish, parted by indistinct buffy median line; 
hind-neck buffy or ochraceous, streaked with dusky; primaries dusky, the outer 
one with a white shaft, and white strongly barred with dusky on the inner web; 
tail irregularly barred with black, the central feathers olive- dusky, the outer ones 
ochraceous and gray; under parts whitish or with buffy tinge on breast, sides, and 
crissum ; the fore-neck sharply streaked with brownish dusky; the markings U- or 
V-shaped on breast and opening out into bars on the sides; axillars and lining of 
wings finely barred dusky and white; bill yellow, blackening on ridge and tip; feet 
and legs dull yellow: Jmmature: Similar to adult, but buffy and ochraceous 
stronger, the dusky markings of under parts less distinct. Length 11.25-12.75 
ete ; wing 6.40 (162.6) ; tail 2.82 (71.6) ; bill 1.20 (30.5) ; tarsus 1.78 
45.2). 
