KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OV FLORIDA. 287 



Genus TRYNGITES Cahanis. 



TRYNQITES SUBRUFICOLLIS (Fia//.). 

 Buff=breasted Sandpiper. 



Adult in breeding plumage : PIntire upper parts mottled with black and tawny brown, 

 the feathers being black in the center and broadly edged with tawny ; under parts pale rufous 

 mottled with whitish. 



Adult in winter plumage : Top of the head and nape pale tawny dotted with brown; 

 feathers of the back l)lackish, narrowly edged with white; under parts pale buff, becoming 

 whitish on the belly, faintly mottled with brownish on the sides of the 

 breast. Inner 7uebs of primaries speckled. 

 Length, 8; Wing, 5.30; Tarsus, 1.25 ; Bill, .85. 



Not abundant on the Atlantic coast, usually ranging 

 in the interior. It breeds from British America north- 

 ward. It ranges in winter south to South America, 

 being found on our coast during migrations. 

 The eggs are described as from three to four ; pale buff white, spotted 

 and lined with dark brown and purplish brown. 



f/^ 



Genus ACTITIS Illiger. 



ACTITIS HACULARIA {Linn.). 

 Spotted Sandpiper. 



Adult in summer: Top of the head and back olive 

 green, showing bronzy reflections when held in the 

 light ; some of the feathers on the back irregularly 

 marked with brown; under parts white, marked with 

 large spots of black. 



Adult in.winter : Above olive, showing a bronzy 

 luster when held in the light ; feathers on the back 

 faintly tipped with dusky; wing coverts narrowly 

 banded with tawny ; throat white ; breast, under parts, 

 including belly and under tail coverts, white ; mandi- 

 ble and edge of the maxilla pale wax yellow (in life), 

 rest of bill black. 



Length, 8; Wing, 4.20; Tarsus, i; Bill, i. 



Ranges from Hudson Bay to South America. It is a very well-known 

 bird on our coast, being usually seen alone or in pairs. It is common on 



