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party of small Sandpipers, which I was scrutinizing through a glass 

 that always accompanies me in my collecting tours. Appearing 

 longer tlian its associates, and too small for the Yello\v-.shanks, or 

 other familiar species of which we have spoken, I immediately 

 set about ascertaining to what species it belonged — and as 1 advanc- 

 ed, was much pleased to find tiiat an opportunity otfered to secuie 

 another specimen of one of the rarest of our birds. It was very gen- 

 tle, and seemed to have no disposition to take wing, although I had 

 arrived quite near. It was standing in a shallow pool of water, 

 and during my observations remained in a listless attitude, scarce- 

 ly changing its position until alarmed by the explosion of the cap 

 of the first barrel of my gun, which missed fire — when it sprung up, 

 uttering a low whistling note ; and while passing slowly from me, 

 with the other barrel I secured it. On dissection it proved to be a 

 male, and from its plumage I considered it the young of the year. 

 In its stomach I found particles of shells and sand. 



In the middle districts it is not frequent, and is rarely seen south 

 of New York. According to Mr. Audubon it is more common 

 on the eastern coast, more particularly so on that of the State of 

 Maine. It usually alights on the water, and is at times seen 

 swimming far at sea. 



Dr. Richardson informs us that it breeds in all the Arctic coasts 

 of America, and resorts to the shores of Hudson's Bay in the au- 

 tumn. It lays two or three yellowish-olive eggs, closely spotted 

 with brown. 



On referring to my notes, I find the following communication 

 from my obliging friend, S. F. Baird : 



"Dear Sir — I think that you will be somewhat surprised to 

 hear of the Hyperborean Phalarope occurring here A relative of 

 mine told me, immediately on my return from Washington, that he 

 had shot a Sandpiper with lobed feet, and a black stripe on the sides 

 of the head — wliicli, however, he had lost. I supposed it to be a 

 Semipal mated Sandpiper, until about a week after, wlien he came 

 in with a beautiful specimen of this Phalarope, which he shot while 

 it was swimming among some ducks. It was a young male, which 

 he informs me is similar to the specimen he shot during my absence 

 from Carlisle. A week or two since, we also obtained a Semipal. 

 mated Sandpiper, the first that we have observed. Yours truly, 



" Carlisle, Pa., Oct. 10, 1842. S. F. Baird." 



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