316 Philipp, Birds Observed in the Carolinas. [july 



24. Gallinula galeata. Florida Gallinule. — Rare and unusual at 

 Lake Ellis, N. C. One nest was found in a wet part of the marsh at the 

 lake on June 21, which contained four eggs on the point of hatching. No 

 other nests were found, nor other birds seen. Mr. H. H. Brimley tells me 

 that this nesting record is a new one for the State. 



25. Tringa canutus. Knot; Robin Snipe; Fool-bird. — Very 

 common on the beaches and keys of Bulls Bay, S. C. where several flocks 

 were seen June 12 and 13, particularly on Vessel Reef, Bird Island Shoal, 

 and Raccoon Key. 



26. Pisobia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. 



27. Ereunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. 



Several flocks of small sandpipers, which probably included both these 

 species, were seen on Bird Island Shoal, Bulls Bay, S. C, June 12, and on 

 Legged Lump in Pamlico Sound on June 28. None were collected. 



28. Catoptrophorus semipalmata. Willet. — Very common on Rac- 

 coon Key, Bulls Bay, and on Morris and St. James Islands, S. C, where the 

 birds were seen June 10-15. 



The largest colony found was on Raccoon Key, where nests were found. 

 The Willet builds quite a nest of bits of drift and dried seaweed, usually 

 on the ground in a bunch of the black grass. Two nests found were in such 

 position; one contained one egg and the other three, all fresh. The birds 

 here had been badly persecuted by Fish Crows and minks; broken and 

 sucked eggs were found everywhere, and two nests were found in which the 

 skeleton of the bird was lying on sucked eggs, the work of minks. 



The Willet is the most striking bird of the region, and is the noisiest. 

 One cannot approach their haunts without one or more coming to greet 

 him with shrill cries. Flying around close to one, they scream and shriek, 

 hovering with trembling wings and open beak. They seem to make as 

 mucli noise when away from their nest as when near it, and give no indi- 

 cation of its location. A beautiful species, characteristic of the southern 

 marshes and beaches. 



29. Numenius longirostris. Long-billed Curlew; Jack Curlew. — 

 A flock of six was seen June 12 on Bird Island Shoal, Bulls Bay, S. C, 

 feeding with other shore birds. 



There is a persistent idea among the fishermen and baymen of the region 

 that this species breeds here; we did not find a nest, however, and did not 

 hear of any nest ever being found. 



30. Ochthodromus wilsonius. Wilson's Plover. — Very common 

 among the islands and along the sandy beaches off the South Carolina 

 coast, being especially abundant on Raccoon Key, Bulls Bay, S. C. This 

 plover was seen daily June 10-15. Nests were found June 10-12 on Morris 

 Island and Raccoon Key. Of six nests, five had three eggs each and the 

 other two, all fresh. The eggs are laid among the shells in shallow hollows, 

 and are very hard to find. The birds fool one repeatedly, squatting down 

 among the shells as if on eggs when far from the nests, and seldom disclose 

 their location. 



