BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



are known there by the common name of " Peeps." This species is also 

 found, often in considerable numbers, about streams and ponds in all 

 parts of the state, but is generally more numerous in the interior in the 

 fall than during the spring migration. Referring to these, the smallest 

 of all our sandpipers, Nuttall says that " for the discovery of their food 

 their flexible and sensitive awl-like bills are probed into the mire, marshy 

 soil, or wet sand, in the manner of the snipe and woodcock, and in this 

 way they discover and rout from their hidden retreats the larvae and 

 soft worms which form a principal part of their fare. At other times 

 they also give chase to insects, and pursue their calling with amusing 

 alacrity." 



Tringa alpina paciflca (OouES.). 



American Dunlin; Red-backed Sandpiper; Black-bellied Sandpiper 



DESCRIPTION. 



Bill and legs black, the former rather stout and slightly decurved. The bill is 

 much longer than head (three specimens before me average 1.50) ; sexes alike. Like 

 other sandpipers this species shows great variation in its colors with age and season, 

 but adults in the spring may be known by the bright chestnut and blackish feathers 

 (many with grayish or white tips), of upper parts, the black colored rump and upper 

 tail-coverts, and a broad black patch on belly. The foreneck and upper part of 

 breast grayish-white, streaked with dusky, rest of under parts white. The adults 

 and young in fall dress have upper parts rather dark ashy-gray ; rump and upper 

 tail-coverts much darker (specimens are often seen with reddish and black feathers 

 on back, and sometimes single feathers or patches of black on belly). Lower parts 

 usually white ; foreneck and breast grayish-white streaked with dusky. Length 

 about 8 or 9 inches ; extent about 15 ; eyes brown. 



Habitat. North America in general, breeding far north. 



Regular spring and fall migrant. The American Dunlin or Red- 

 backed Sandpiper is much more numerous at Erie bay, and about the 

 lake shore in Erie county, than in any other section of the state. When 

 these birds are met with about the gravelly or muddy shores of our 

 larger water courses Susquehanna, Delaware, Allegheny and Ohio rivers 

 chiefly they generally are seen singly or in small flocks, usually in com- 

 pany with other species. At Erie, in the fall, the Dunlin is a very 

 abundant bird, being found in flocks which often number a hundred or 

 more. Large numbers of this species, and other shore birds, are killed 

 by gunners in the fall (the principal flights occur usually in September) 

 along the beach on the peninsula, and about the muddy flats at the 

 mouth of Mill Creek, which flows into Erie bay, below the Soldiers' and 

 Sailors' Home, at Erie city. The Dunlin feeds on worms, insects, small 

 bivalve shells, etc., and when fat, is equally as palatable as the snipe or 

 plover. 



