126 



resident. Arrives early in March, nests the first of April, and departs 

 late in autumn. 



Genus GallinagO Leach. 



210. G. wilsoni Temm. WILSON'S SNIPE. Abundant during the 

 migrations and not a very rare summer resident. Arrives the first of 

 April and nearly all are gone by the first of May. Returns in fall the 

 first of September and departs by the first of November. Mr. T. H. 

 Douglas has obtained its eggs near Waukegan, and while there in the 

 spring of 1876, I found several pairs during the breeding season, in 

 various portions of the marsh near that place. 



Morning and evening and throughout cloudy days in the early part 

 of the breeding season the male has a curious habit of mounting high 

 overhead, then descending obliquely for some distance, and as it turns 

 upward strikes rapidly with its wings producing a loud whistling sound 

 with each stroke. This manoeuvre is repeated again and again, and 

 appears to be performed for the same purpose as is the "booming" of 

 the night-hawk. Besides this sound the Wilson's snipe has a peculiar, 

 sharp cry during this season, which is uttered when the bird is dis- 

 turbed. I first became acquainted with this note in May, 1876, when, 

 while walking along a marshy strip of land, I was surprised to hear a 

 loud ka-ka-kft-kcl-kcL, uttered with great force and in a rather loud, 

 harsh tone. Turning quickly I was still more astonished to find the 

 author to be one of these birds, it was flying restlessly from post to 

 post along a fence and showed the greatest uneasiness at my presence, 

 the notes being repeated at short intervals. Although its nest was 

 probably near, I could not discover it. 



Genus Macrohamphus Leach. 



211. M. griseus Leach. RKD-BUKASTED SNIPE. Rather common 

 migrant. Passes north, often in large flocks, in May and returns the 

 first of August, and lingers in small numbers about muddy pools until 

 well into October. Quite unsuspicious while feeding and will allow a 

 near approach. 



Genus Micropalama Bd. 



212. M. himantopus Bd. STILT SANDPIPER. Of rare occur- 

 rence. The 8th of August, 1873, I saw a single specimen near the 

 Lake shore in Chicago, and the 10th of September the same year,, Mr. 

 R. P. Clarke obtained a specimen at the same place. 



Genus Ereunetes III. 



213. E. pusillus Cass. SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER. Very abun- 

 dant migrant and many remain through the summer. From repeated 



