114 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



with large embryos ; another found the day following contained three 

 eggs. A third, obtained June 29 on the Barren Lands, was a mere de- 

 pression in the ground, lined with a few decayed leaves and contained 

 four eggs with very large embryos. A fourth found on the banks of a 

 small river, of similar construction, held four eggs. 



The eggs are pyriform in shape, of light olive or olive -brown, spot- 

 ted with bold and sometimes rather fine markings of deep chestnut- 

 brown, almost into blackness, chiefly about the larger end in confluent 

 groups. Average size, 1.37 x. 94. 



241. Tringa bairdii (COUES.) [537.] 



Baird's Sandpiper. 



Hab. North America, chiefly the interior. Rare on the Atlantic Coast; wintering in Mexico, Cen- 

 tral and South America. 



Baird's Sandpiper is distributed throughout North America gener- 

 ally, but is said not yet to have been observed west of the Rocky 

 Mountains. It is found chiefly in the interior. Known "to breed in the 

 Arctic regions ; winters south of United States. 



This bird was entirely unknown to ornithologists until within the 

 last thirty-five years ; when discovered and for sometime after was 

 confounded with other species. Dr. Coues first gave it rank and name 

 in 1861. It breeds in the Arctic regions on the Barren Lands; nests 

 in the latter part of June/ usually within the vicinity of lakes and 

 small ponds. The nest is made of a few dry leaves and grasses in 

 a small depression, shaded by a tuft of grass. The eggs are usually 

 four in number ; buff or clay-colored, spotted and blotched with varying 

 shades of chestnut-brown ; in most instances the markings are fine and 

 innumerable, of indefinite size, irregular in shape and thickness at the 

 greater end, where they are occasionally massed in blotches ; size about 



i. 30 x. 90 



242. Tringa minutilla VIEILL. [538.] 



Least Sandpiper. 



Hab. Whole of North America; breeding north of the United States. 



The smallest of the Sandpipers, measuring five and a half or six 

 inches in length. It has the same habits as characterize its Semi- 

 palmated cousins, frequenting the same localities, and flocks of birds 

 are often composed of both species. When this is the case the Semi- 

 palmated Sandpipers even if largely in the minority, take the lead, as 

 their somewhat larger size, stronger flight and louder note fit them for 

 so doing. 



When not in company with other species none of our shore birds 

 are more confiding and unsuspecting than these, large flocks con- 

 tinuing their search for food almost under the feet of the observer. 



