BIRDS FOUND ALONG THE BEACHES _ 67 
in the winter, and is found in the interior in spring and 
fall. Early in May it leaves for its breeding grounds 
in the arctic regions, returning in October. It is seen 
usually in large flocks, and, being less active than most 
shore birds, is oftener a victim to the surf of the winter 
storms. Walking along the beach after a blustering 
night or day, one occasionally may find the lifeless 
bodies of these little birds half buried in the sand, not 
in the same numbers as the more venturesome waders, 
but enough to sadden a morning tramp. 
247. WESTERN SANDPIPER. — Ereunetes occidentalis. 
Famity: The Snipes and Sandpipers. 
Length: 7.00 or 8.00. 
Adults in Summer: Upper parts black or dusky, conspicuously mottled 
with buffy and red-brown ; breast and sides streaked with blackish ; 
rest of under parts white. 
Adults in Winter: Upper parts dull brownish gray, indistinctly streaked 
with dusky ; under parts white, with faint dusky spots on breast and 
sides. 
Downy Young: Upper parts bright rusty buff, spotted with black ; a 
black line through crown and middle of back ; hair-like feathers 
among the down, tipped with yellow ; under parts cream-white. 
Geographical Distribution: Western North America ; south in winter to 
Central America. 
Breeding Range: Alaska and British America. 
Breeding Season: June 1 to July 1. 
Nest: A hollow in the ground, with scanty lining of grasses. 
Liggs: 4; clay-colored, thickly speckled with reddish brown. Size 
1:20 >< 0,87. . 
THE Western Sandpiper is abundant on the Pacific 
coast during the spring and fall migrations. In_ its 
nesting grounds it is said by Mr. Nelson to be fearless, 
and conspicuously devoted to its young. He gives an 
