52 SHORE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



" Peep " of the gunning fraternity) , but may always he distinguished from 

 that species by the semi-palmated or partly webbed toes. It breeds in the 

 arctic regions. The eggs are buff white, mottled with brown and chocolate 

 brown, heaviest on the larger end. They are usually four in number and 

 measure about 1.20 x .85. 



EREUNETES OCCIDENTALS Lawr. 

 Western Semi pal mated Sandpiper. " Peep." 



In summer plumage this species may be distinguished from E. pusiUus by its longer bill 

 (which is oftentimes 1.25 inches in length, while E.pusillus rarely, if ever, has the bill one inch), 

 by its decidedly streaked breast, and the feathers of the back being margined with rufous. The 

 winter plumages, however, differ but little, if any, and occasionally specimens of the Western 

 Sandpiper occur which have the bill less than one inch, and in such cases it is almost impos- 

 sible to distinguish them from the winter examples of E. pusillun; therefore it is perhaps as 

 well for the sportsmen to consider all of those birds having bills less than one inch in length 

 to be E. puxillus, and if it is important to have the identification absolutely accurate, they could 

 easily obtain the opinion of some professional ornithologist to settle such a fine point. 



Length, G; wing, 3.85; tarsus, .82; bill, .90 to 1.15. 



The Sandpiper occasionally occurs on the Atlantic coast, although its home 

 is properly in the West. It ranges from the arctic regions and Alaska, where 

 it breeds, south to the Gulf of Mexico and South America. It is common in 

 Florida in winter, more so on the west than on the east coast. 



The eggs are four, pale buff, dotted with dark brown or chocolate brown. 



