SPOTTED SANDPIPER 



263. Actitis macularia. 7.5 in. 



Below white, with round blackish spots, heaviest on 

 the breast and sides; above olive-brown or gray, with 

 faint black bars; a narrow black line from the bill 

 through the eye to the ears. Young entirely white 

 below, with the breast faintly tinged with gray. These 

 birds are abundant and breed locally throughout the 

 United States and the greater part of Canada. One or 

 more pairs will usually be found nesting in the fields 

 about all small ponds, or among the weeds that grow 

 about edges of pools and lakes. They have a peculiar 

 habit of " teetering," whether standing still or while 

 feeding on the banks of streams or ponds; other birds 

 do this but not nearly as persistently as Spotted Sand- 

 pipers. 



Notes. A clear " peet-weet ; " also a single melodious 

 whistle. 



Nest. On the ground in fields or near the edges 

 of pools or streams; eggs buffy, boldly spotted. 



Range. Breeds from the Gulf to Hudson Bay; win- 

 ters south of the U. S. 



