152 KILLDEER. 



Spotted Sandpiper; Tilt-up: Actitis macularia. 



Length 7^ inches. 



Olive-brown above, white below, spotted all over with round 

 black spots. Young without spots below. 



Very long legs and long bill. 



Resident (uncommon) from April 5 to September 3; more 

 abundant in winter. 



This pretty little Sandpiper will be known by his 

 distinctly spotted plumage, and also by the peculiar 

 tilting of his body when on the ground. When flying 

 he often sails for a short distance and then his long, 

 narrow wings show a white band. He calls peet zvcet 

 as he flies. 



He is likely to be found anywhere along streams, 

 and is commonly seen by Rock Creek in the Zoologi- 

 cal Park. 



The nest is on the ground, frequently in planted 

 fields near water. The eggs, 4, are buff, much spotted 

 and speckled with brown. 



Killdeer: ALgialitis vocifera. 



Length 10^ inches. 



Upper parts grayish-brown and rusty; forehead, throat, 

 collar and wing-patches white. 



Upper tail bright orange-brown; tail-feathers tipped with 

 black and white. 



Under parts white, two black bands across the breast. 

 Long yellowish legs. 



Resident all the year; abundant only in migration. 



Killdeer are usually seen in small flocks in ploughed 

 or grassy fields. They have a characteristic way of 

 running rapidly over the ground hunting worms and 

 grasshoppers, and when startled take wing with a shrill 

 cry of kildee, or dee, dee. This cry is unmistakable 

 and as distinguishing as their peculiar markings. 



