Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 251 
PISOBIA MINUTILLA (Vieillot). Least Sandpiper. 
Very common migrant. 
The Least Sandpiper arrives as early as the 2nd of April and 
is present until the last week in May. The earliest southbound 
flock noted was on July 12, 1914, about three weeks earlier than 
the average time of arrival. The last have usually left by the 
last week in October. 
This sandpiper is still seen in apparently as large numbers 
as formerly. It may be looked for about any small pond or 
stream, though most abundant on the sloughs and mud flats in 
the Missouri River flood plain. 
PELIDNA ALPINA SAKHALINA (Vieillot). Red-backed Sandpiper. 
Rare migrant. 
A flock of fifteen Red-backed Sandpipers were closely watched 
on the mud flat at the mouth of the Blue on May 16, 1914. There 
are records of its occurrence here during four other years when 
specimens were taken. 
The characteristic field mark of this bird in spring is the black 
belly. The student must not be led astray when he has under 
observation small shore birds of other species that have waded 
out in soft mud and stained the under parts. 
EREUNETES PUSILLUS (Linn.). Semipalmated Sandpiper. 
Very common migrant. 
The migration dates for the Semipalmated Sandpiper are 
about the same as for the Least Sandpiper. These two species 
are among the commonest shore birds and oceur in about equal 
abundance. They are found along the river sometimes in im- 
mense flocks and are often accompanied by other small sand- 
pipers and Semipalmated Plovers. 
While feeding these flocks may be easily approached and 
studied at close range, as they are not so wild as the larger shore 
birds which are more often disturbed by gunners. 
EXREUNETES MAURI Cabanis. Western Sandpiper. 
Occasional migrant. 
Several specimens of this sandpiper have been taken in this 
part of the country, both to the east and west, but not in this 
immediate neighborhood. It has been identified two or three 
