Sandpipers SHORE AND MARSH BIRDS. 



Bartramian Sandpiper : Bartramia longicauda. 



Field Plover. 



PLATE XI. FIG. 9. 



Length: 11.75-12.75 inches. 



Male and Female: Bill short, grooved, and tipped with black, but 

 little longer than the head. Above dusky, varied with yellowish 

 and gray, a pale yellow stripe through the eye. Lower wing- 

 coverts white, banded with dark gray. Below varying from 

 white to buff, dark lines on breast, and spots on belly. Outer 

 tail quills white, barred with black. Feet dirty yellow. 



Season : A summer resident, but becoming rare. Noted by Linsley 

 as breeding at Stratford, Conn. 



Breeds : Throughout its North American range. 



Nest : A few straws and tendrils to keep the eggs together ; in locations 

 similar to those chosen by the Meadowlark. 



Eggs : 4, gray or cream ground, with irregular umber spots. 



Eange : Eastern North America, north to Nova Scotia and Alaska ; 

 migrating in winter southward, as far even as southern South 

 America. 



This species is classed as a Wading-bird, but is perfectly 

 independent of water, and inhabits meadows and uplands, 

 for which reason sportsmen call it the Upland or Field 

 Plover. It announces itself on its arrival by a long, melo- 

 dious whistle; it has several other cries in the breeding- 

 season, but they are the reverse of pleasing. After the 

 young are hatched, they flock with the adults, visiting the 

 grass fields and feeding more after the fashion of Meadow- 

 larks than of Sandpipers. As the frost blasts the inland 

 fields they gradually approach the shore. At this season 

 they are very plump, with sweet, well-flavoured flesh. 



Spotted Sandpiper: Actitis macularia. 



Teeter; Tilt-up. 

 Length : 7.50 inches. 



Male and Female: Slender, flesh-colour bill, black tipped, longer 

 than the head. Above Quaker-gray, with an iridescent lustre, 

 spotted and streaked with black. White eye line. White 

 below, dotted with black: feet flesh-coloured. More dull 

 throughout in winter. 



244 



