Vol i907^ IV ] B ENT > Summer Birds of Southwestern Saskatchewan. 425 



found containing five eggs each. Nests with eggs were found on June 15, 



1905, and on June 14, 1906. Downy young were found on June 15, 1905, 

 and June 29, 1906. 



The Avocets were on the whole the most striking and conspicuous 

 birds of this region; they were constantly in evidence and noisy, flying 

 out to meet us as we approached their breeding grounds and protesting all 

 the time with their shrill piping or yelping notes. 



They fooled us frequently as to the location of their nests by squatting 

 on the bare ground, as if sitting on their eggs, and then flying off yelping 

 at us if we drew near. They were very much at home on the water, swim- 

 ming lightly and gracefully, and feeding in the shallow water by dipping 

 their heads under, like the surface feeding ducks. As soon as the young 

 were able to run their parents led them to the water where they swam off 

 easily and rapidly. 



While conducting their courtships, in May, the Avocets were always 

 amusing and often grotesque in their movements, as they danced along the 

 shore or waded in the shallow water holding their wings fully extended, 

 tipping from side to side, as if balancing themselves. Sometimes they 

 would run rapidly along, crouching close to the ground, frequently nodding 

 or bowing and sometimes they would lie flat on the water or ground, with 

 wings outstretched as if in agony. At such times they were very tame, 

 apparently oblivious of all else, and could be easily approached. 



41. Gallinago delicata. Wilson's Snipe. — Very rare. Prof. Macoun 

 found it breeding at the east end of the Cypress Hills on June 24, 1894, 

 at which time the young were able to fly. Dr. Bishop saw one at Hay 

 Creek on July 6, 1906. None were collected. 



42. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. — An 

 uncommon migrant. A few were seen or collected by Dr. Bishop and Dr. 

 D wight, as follows: one at Hay Creek on July 3, 20 at Many Island Lake 

 on July 13, one on July 18, 2 on July 21 and 1 July 22, 1906, at Big Stick 

 Lake. All of these were adults, probably the beginning of the fall migra- 

 tion. 



43. Actodromas maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper. — Dr. Bishop and 

 Dr. Dwight found a few adults at Big Stick Lake on July 18, 21 and 22, 



1906, securing several. 



44. Actodromas fuscicollis. White-rumped Sandpiper. — Recorded 

 by Prof. Macoun as seen as far west as Crane Lake and as probably breed- 

 ing at Indian Head. We did not see any either season. 



45. Actodromas bairdii. Baird's Sandpiper. — "We found a flock 

 of about 50 at an alkali pond, 10 miles north of Maple Creek, on July 17, 

 and about the same number there on July 21. At Big Stick Lake we found 

 a few July 18 and 21. They were common on alkali ponds east of Maple 

 Creek, August 1 and until we left. Young first seen on August 1." — 

 (Bishop.) 



46. Actodromas minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — " Spreadborough be- 

 lieves it breeds at Indian Head." (Macoun.) 



