68 WATER BIRDS 
instance in which a bird returned to her eggs across 
a man’s outstretched arms. During migrations the 
Western Sandpiper rests occasionally for two or three 
days in one locality. It is less timid than most of its 
family. 
248. SANDERLING. — Calidris arenaria. 
(Common names: Surf Snipe; Ruddy Plover; Beach 
Bird.) 
Famity: The Snipes and Sandpipers. 
Length: 7.00-9.00. 
Adults in Summer: Upper parts mottled white, gray, and black ; darker 
through crown and middle of back ; wing-bar and entire under parts 
white. 
Adults in Winter: Upper parts ashy gray; bend of wing blackish ; 
under parts uniform clear white. 
Young: Upper parts pale gray, spotted with black and white ; under 
parts white. 
reographical Distribution: ‘‘ Nearly cosmopolitan.” In America a 
few winter in Texas and California, and from there southward to 
Patagonia. 
Breeding Range: Arctic and subarctic regions. 
Breeding Season: June 15 to July 15. 
Jest: A slight depression in ground ; lined with grasses. 
Eggs: 3 or 4; greenish buffy, speckled with brown. Size 1.41 X 0.91. 
THE Sanderling inhabits the entire American con- 
tinent, and may be found during spring and fall mi- 
grations picking up its food on nearly every salt-water 
beach. It follows closely in the wake of each receding 
wave, scampering out of the way of the returning water 
with swiftness and dainty grace. This game of tag with 
the ocean would seem to be as much for fun as for food, 
for I have often watched them as they ran back and 
forth after the wayes for several minutes without pick- 
