BIRDS OF KANSAS. 181 



the usual predominance of blotching. In other specimens the 

 markings form blotches or large spots, rather sparingly distribu- 

 ted at the small end, but nearly hiding the ground color at the 

 larger end. There is considerable variation in size as well as 

 color among these eggs, as the following measurements show: 

 1.50x1.10, 1.39x.98, 1.45x.95, 1.50x1.08. After the eggs 

 are laid the male evidently becomes a wiser and a sadder bird, 

 for his merry trill is heard no longer, and, should some wander- 

 ing naturalist happen along and start a sitting bird from the 

 eggs, the chances are equal that he finds the female is not "at 

 home," but that it is the poor male who has fallen a victim to 

 his faithful care of the nest. 



"On two occasions I started these birds from their eggs, and 

 in each instance the parent fluttered and stumbled along the 

 ground, trying to distract my attention, and in each case exam- 

 ination showed it to be a male, and the two large, bare patches 

 on the breast showed that they were accustomed to the task. 

 Females shot at the same season showed the same marks of in- 

 cubation, so it is evident that the work is shared by the two par- 

 ents. The earliest nest found by me was on June 6th, and the 

 latest on July 3d; in both the eggs were fresh." 



GENUS EREUNETES ILLIGEB. 



"Size small; anterior toes webbed at the base; a well-developed hind toe. 

 Bill about as long as or a little longer than the head, straight, somewhat ex- 

 panded at the end, about as long as the tai'sus; middle toe more than half as 

 long as the tarsus: bare portion of tibia nearly equal to the middle toe. 



"The bill of Ereunetes is quite stout and considerably expanded, by which 

 it is readily distinguished from Actodromas minutilla independently of the 

 semipalmated feet. The tarsus and middle toe are about equal; the tibia de- 

 nuded anteriorly for about two-thirds the length of the tarsus. The basal mem- 

 brane of toes is more scalloped out interiorly than exteriorly; the notch 

 externally not quite as deep as the first joint, although the membrane extends 

 beyond the second. There is a tendency to hexagonal subdivision in the bare 

 portion of tibia anteriorly. The tail is doubly emarginate." 



Ereunetes pusillus (LINN.). 



SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 

 PLATE XI. 



Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive the last of April to middle 

 of May; return in August. 



B. 535. R. 541. C. 612. G. 250, 83. U. 246. 



