314 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Pectoral sandpiper, and Red-backed sandpiper, are ftilly as abundant during 

 the fall migration. In the spring it appears on Long Island from the 20th to 

 the 30th of April and departs for the north from the 26th of May to the 12th 

 of June. Return migration begins as early as the 4th of July and is well 

 advanced by the ist of August, the last birds departing from the 20th of 

 September to the 7th of October. In western New York it arrives later 

 in the spring, like other species of arctic shore birds, usually appearing for 

 only a few days late in April, or in May, while hurrying northward. Fall 

 dates range from July 20th to September 30th. 



This species like the Pectoral sandpiper frequents both the sandy shore, 

 mud fiats and the grassy meadows, and is often called the Meadow oxeye 

 by the Long Island gunners. Where it is not persecuted by hunters I have 

 often seen it so unsuspicious that one was quite unable to "walk it up," 

 the little fellows trotting along in front of the observer and gleaning, or 

 probing, industriously for insects on every side. When flushed it darts 

 away with characteristic snipelike flight, sometimes to alight within a 

 short distance, at others to leave the locality entirely, uttering its mellow 

 peep, peep, or peet, peet. Some consider the little Sand-peeps as legitimate 

 game and shoot them by the dozens to be made into "peep-pies" which are 

 famous delicacies in many localities along the coast, but for my part, after 

 associating with the Little sandpipers, I am more content to eat chicken 

 pies than to think how dozens of these harmless, interesting birds have been 

 sacrificed for a single meal. 



This species breeds from the Gulf of St Lawrence to the arctic regions, 

 and winters from the gulf coast to South America. 



Pelidna alpina alpina Linnaeus 



Dunlin 



Tringa alpina Linnaeus. Svst. Nat. Ed. 10. 1858. 1:149 

 A. O. U. Check List. Ed. 2. 1895. No. (243) 



pelld'na, Gr. ■s-eXiSi'ds, livid; alpi'na, Lat., alpino 



Description. Smaller than subspecies pacifica. Bill shorter; tarsus 

 about equal to middle toe and claw. In summer upper parts less brightly 

 colored; and the blackish belly not strongly contrasted with the speckled 

 or grayish breast. Length about 8 inches; bill, average 1.4; tarsus and 

 Tniddle toe 1.75. 



