BIRDS OF KANSAS. 193 



brownish gray; checks and sides of neck nearly uniform gray; foreneck streaked 

 as in the adult. 



"Bill greenish brown (in life), dusky terminally; iris brown; legs and feet 

 olive green in adult, more grayish in young." 



Stretch, of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 8.50 16.00 5.20 2.25 1.35 1.25 



Female... 8.75 16.75 5.50 2.30 1.45 1.30 



I have met with this species in suitable localities throughout 

 the United States, Mexico and Central America, but nowhere in 

 abundance. 



These birds inhabit the margins of sluggish streams and shal- 

 low ponds, preferring the wooded lands or shores skirted with 

 trees, where they wade about in the mud and water, chasing 

 with open wings, or probing for, and feeding upon the minute 

 mollusks, worms and various forms of aquatic insect life that 

 abound in such places. They have a peculiar way of balanc- 

 ing the body, by bending the knees, jerking the tail and bow- 

 ing the head, much like the Spotted Sandpiper, but in a slower 

 and more dignified manner, as if proud of their motions; and, 

 notwithstanding they are tattlers by name, differ from the family 

 by being usually silent, seldom uttering their low, whistling notes 

 except when startled or about to take wing. As the tendency 

 of nature is to harmonize, is it not probable that their nature 

 has been changed by the stillness and solitude that surrounds 

 them in their secluded retreats? As a rule the birds are not 

 shy, and, when followed, run in an unconcerned manner along 

 the shore, or by short flights keep a little ahead, or return to 

 the starting point by circling back close to and over the water. 

 During the breeding season they are very secretive, and al- 

 though young birds have often been met with, their nests and 

 eggs have seldom been discovered, and in most cases their 

 identification is doubtful. 



Their nest is a slight depression in the soil, lined with a few 

 leaves or grasses. Eggs said to be from two to four, 1.25x. 88, 

 to 1.37x. 95; ground color light drab, finely and rather evenly 

 spotted with dark brown, and a few faint purple shell stains; 

 in shape, pyriform. 



13 ' 



