A Monograph of the TBINGEJE of North America. 

 BY ELLIOTT COUES. 



In the latter part of 1860, during the examination at the Smithsonian 

 Institution of an extensive and valuable collection of birds made by Messrs. 

 Robert Kennicott and Bernard R. Ross in the vicinity of Great Slave Lake and 

 McKenzie's River, my attention was directed to a Sandpiper, nearly allied to 

 Actodromas maculata and Bonapartei, but differing from both in many important 

 features. Subsequent examination having proved it to be without doubt dis- 

 tinct from these, or any other North American Sandpipers, I was authorized by 

 the Secretary of the Institution to describe and name it. To do so properly, 

 necessarily involving a somewhat extended study of the North American 

 Sandpipers, I was induced to undertake a monographic sketch of the section, 

 as well as of the particular genus to which the new species belongs. 



In the following pages it has been attempted to present the leading features 

 of the group ; to give the diagnosis of the several genera and species, with a 

 detailed description when such appeared necessary ; together with the 

 synonymy of each species and a discussion of doubtful points of nomenclature 

 and affinity. In how far, however, this aim has been accomplished, must be 

 left for others to judge. 



It is with great diffidence that on some points I dissent from such high 

 authority as that of the author of the Tringece in the General Report ; but 

 when compelled to do so, the reasons are fully stated, which, it is hoped, will 

 be found satisfactory. 



To Professor Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, my grateful 

 acknowledgments are due for the opportunity of examining at leisure the 

 entire Smithsonian collection of Sandpipers, and also for access to those works 

 necessary to the compilation of the list of synonyms. The references have all 

 been personally made and verified, except in a few cases for which the au- 

 thority is given. Though the list is necessarily incomplete, it is believed that 

 no important synonym is omitted. Should, however, errors be detected in 

 this or in any other portion of the article, it is hoped that they will be found 

 to be others than those of negligence or carelessness. 



By many modern ornithologists the Sandpipers are considered as a sub- 

 family Tringince of Scolopacidce, equal in rank to the Scolopacince and Totanince. 

 But the relationships of the two former in all essential points are very inti- 

 mate, and the transition from the one to the other, through such genera as 

 Macroramphus and Micropalama, very gradual, while at the same time the 

 differences from the Totanince are marked and decided. In view of these con- 

 siderations, it may be more natural to consider the Sandpipers as a section 

 of Tringece of equal rank with Scolopacece, uniting both under the subfamily 

 Scolopacince. Upon this basis the different groups may be distinguished by 

 the following brief characters, taken chiefly from the General Report. 



[July, 



