2O4 SCOLOPACID^E : SNIPE, ETC. 



The difference alleged by Mr. Lawrence between the 

 notes of the two birds is confirmed by Mr. G. L. 

 Nicholas, in speaking of the capture of a specimen of 

 scolopaceus on Shinnecock Bay : " The note was entirely 

 different from that of the Dowitcher, being made up of 

 several quick, sharp whistles. I am quite sure it is not 

 a Dowitcher, as it is quite different in color, the under 

 parts being like those of Tringa canutus, and only the 

 throat and sides being spotted. Mr. Lane, with whom 

 I was staying, says that for the past three years he has 

 seen these birds in company with the Dowitchers, 

 and they seem to be increasing in numbers. He and 

 other gunners of the house also say they have never 

 heard this bird give a note anything like that of the 

 Dowitcher." (Bird-notes from Long Island, in Forest 

 and Stream, xiv, 1880, p. 44.) 



" In regard to the spring arrival of this bird, Mr. 

 George N. Lawrence gives March 20 as the earliest 

 date, he having secured several specimens in Fulton 

 Market, N. Y., at that time, from Long Island, which is 

 about six weeks earlier than any recorded capture 

 of M. griseus. The gunners in the vicinity of Rocka- 

 way, L. L, make a distinction between the two birds, 

 calling M. scolopaceus the White-tail Dowitcher, and say 

 it is the first to come in the spring, and during the 

 southern migrations it remains until late in the fall, 

 after the Dowitchers have disappeared." (Bull. Nutt. 

 Club, v, 1880, p. 156.) 



Dr. Brewer gives M. scolopaceus full specific rank in 

 his Catalogue (Pr. Bost. Soc., xvii, 1875, p. 445), mark- 

 ing it as a rare migrant along the Massachusetts coast, 

 not in company with M. griseus, on the authority 

 of Mr. Brewster; but Mr. Purdie corrects this misun- 



