NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



123 



258a. Western Willet. Symphemia semipalmata inornata. 



Range. Western North America, breeding north to Manitoba and British 

 Columbia. Casually found on the South Atlantic coast during migrations. 



A larger and paler form of the preceding species; length, 15.5 in. The nesting 

 habits are the same, and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the 

 common Willet. Data. Refugio, Texas, May 18, 1$)0. 4 eggs in a grass lined 

 depression on the bay shore flat. Collector, j. W. Preston. 



259. Wandering Tattler. Heteractitis incanus. 



Range. Pacific coast of North America, breeding from British Columbia 

 northward. 



This is a handsome species, uniform grayish above and white below, closely 

 barred (in summer) with blackish. During the breeding season it is found on 

 the rugged coasts and islands of Alaska, and casually south. It breeds in the 

 marsh grass near the shores and along the banks of streams. 



[260.] Ruff. Pavoncella pugnax. 



A common European species, occasionally found on the Atlantic coast of 

 North America. It is a species remarkable for its pugnacity during the mating 

 season; in size and appearance it is about like the Bartramian Sandpiper, with 

 the exception of the "ruff" which adorns the neck and breast of the male bird. 



261. Bartramian Sandpiper. Bartramia longicauda. 



Range. North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding from 

 middle United States, northward. 



A handsome bird, 12 inches in length, 

 generally known as the "Upland Plover," 

 from its habit of frequenting dry side hills, 

 where it feeds upon grasshoppers and worms. 

 It is a favorite bird with many sportsmen. 

 It builds a nest of grasses, on the ground in 

 a tuft of grass in the middle of fields. The 

 three or four eggs have a buff ground and 

 are blotched with yellowish brown. Size 

 1.75 x 1.25. Data. Stump Lake, N. D., 

 June 10, 1897. Nest of grass, lined with 

 wool, under a tuft of grass left by the mower. 

 Collector, Alf. Eastgate. 



[Buff.J 



262. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites subruficollis. 



Range. Interior of North America, breeding from the Hudson Bay region to 

 the Arctic coast. 



[Grayish white.] 



A buffy colored species, with a peculiarly marbled 

 back. Size 8.5 inches long. It is an upland species 

 like the last. The nests are scantily lined depressions 

 in the ground. The eggs have a grayish white ground 

 and are boldly blotched with rich brown and chestnut 

 with fainter markings of lilac. Size 1.45 x 1.05. 

 Data. Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 1900. 4 eggs in 

 a hollow in dry spot on a marsh. Collector, H. H. 

 Bodfish. 



