SANDERLING 



248. Calidris leucophcea. 8 in. 



Toes short and stout; no hind toe. Adults in sum- 

 mer, variegated above with bright reddish-brown and 

 black; below white, the breast being strongly washed 

 with rusty and spotted with black. In winter, plain 

 grayish above and white below; head white, except the 

 crown; young birds are like winter adults but have 

 the back with some blackish. In the interior this spe- 

 cies is found on the edges of lakes and rivers. On the 

 coast, it is one of the boldest of the shore birds, feed- 

 ing on the edge of the outer beach, often under the comb- 

 ing crest of the incoming waves, retreating just as the 

 wave breaks and is dashed to foam on the beach. They 

 are usually wary and will not allow a close approach. 



Nest. On the ground; eggs greenish-buff, spotted 

 with black. 



Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters south 

 to Patagonia, migrating on both coasts and to a less 

 extent in the interior. 



