^''''me'^"^] Nichols axd Harper, Long Island Shore Birds. 245 



The notes of the Least, though confused with those of the Semipahnated 

 Sandpiper, are generally distinguishable. The loudest and most character- 

 istic is a gi-ating k-r-r-e-e-p, often heard from single birds just taking wing 

 or already in swift and erratic flight, as well as from small bands maneuver- 

 ing high in the air. At times it doubtless denotes alarm, and it seems also 

 to signify ' Where are you? ' and to be used with the purpose of locating 

 others of the species. There is also a much abbreviated note, which may 

 be represented as cher, but is subject to marked variation; this may be 

 used by the members of a flock as a conversational call, or it may represent 

 slight uneasiness when either a single bird or a flock takes a short flight to 

 avoid a person. Still another note is a soft, rolling k-r-r-r-r-r, not very 

 different from the whinny of the Semipalmated, but less pronounced and 

 much less frequently heard. 



In common with two other members of its genus, the Krieker and the 

 Whiterump, which wear an inconspicuous plumage much like its own, 

 the Least Sandpiper has the curious habit of squatting or crouching when 

 danger is near. We had stalked four of these birds at a pond-hole in a 

 brackish meadow bordering Moriches Bay, and they had become so accus- 

 tomed to our presence that they were feeding, finally, at a distance of only 

 eight or ten feet. One of us happened to move in a way that alarmed the 

 little sandpipers, so that one of them immediately squatted down on the 

 wet mud, while another crouched with its head lowered. The camera was 

 opportunely focused upon them, and caught them in the act (Plate IX). 

 At such times the birds apparently like to get some little obstruction like a 

 mud-lump, if possible, between themselves and the source of danger. 



Ereunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper; Oxeye; Big Oxeye. 

 — Abundant transient visitant, outnumbering even the Least Sandpiper 

 by probably two to one. Though the Semipalmated is generally a tardier 

 migrant than the other, both species reach the height of their abundance 

 during the latter part of May and through the month of August. Extreme 

 dates for the spring migi-ation of the present species are April 28 and 

 June 13 (Eaton); for the fall migration, July 4 and October 15 (Eaton). 



This sandpiper is at home on the marshes, the mud-flats, and the outer 

 beaches. It is observed in almost any numbers, from single birds to one 

 or two hundred together, and occasionally many more. About the third 

 week in May, from the marshes south of Freeport, we have noticed thou- 

 sands of migrating snipe following the coast eastward in immense and 

 fairly compact flocks; and it is probable that these flocks consisted chiefly 

 of the Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers. 



The feeding habits of both species are in general similar, but Ereunetes 

 moves about more rapidly in search of food, is stronger on the wing, and 

 shows a greater tendency toward bunching and wheeling. It seems not 

 unlikely that the greater activity of the Semipalmated is associated with 

 its habit of frequenting the surf-beaten shore, while the more leisurely 

 ways of the Least, on the other hand, correspond with its preferred habitat 

 on the quiet mud-flats and marshes. There are few more pleasing sights 



