THE STILT SANDPIPER 149 



The length of this species is from ten to 

 eleven and one-half inches ; its extent from sev- 

 enteen to nineteen inches ; bill from two to three 

 inches long, varying much in specimens. A 

 prime favorite with the shore gunner and a fine 

 table bird, tender and well flavored. 



THE STILT SAXDPIPEE. 



(Micropalama himantopus.) 



Supposed to be found in all parts of the con- 

 tinent, this is a rare bird in any part of North 

 America and of even more uncommon occur- 

 rence westward of the Rockies. This species 

 breeds in the summer range of the family in the 

 far north and in winter goes away to the south 

 with the other shorebirds into their ranges of 

 the West Indies, Central and South America. 

 As a rule it travels in small flocks of its own 

 kind or associates with the dowitchers and lesser 

 yellow-legs, to the advantage of both these spe- 

 cies, for the Stilt Sandpiper either has less con- 

 fidence in mankind or is gifted with a more 

 critical taste in music and is not so readily de- 

 ceived by the marsh gunner's whistle as are 

 its friends. In its nesting, food and life habits 



