112 l.Xl'KDITION TO POI^T BAKROW, ALASKA. 



The following measurements, in inches, indicate the size, shape, and limits of variation: 1.58 

 by 1.0(5; 1.41 by 1.11 : 1.42 by 1..08; 1.54 by 1.02. 



In color and markings they closely resemble the eggs of the other small waders. The ground 

 color is drab, .sometimes with a greenish tinge, though never so green as in the egg of /'. alpina 

 iiiiurictnid and sometimes a pale bistre-brown. The markings are blotchings of clear umber brown, 

 varying in intensity, thickest and sometimes confluent around the larger end, smaller and more 

 scattered at the smaller end. Some of the eggs with brown ground are thickly blotched all over. 

 A single egg in one set of four Las the markings almost as line as in A. buirdi, but the, egg is 

 larger and has not the characteristic ruddy hue. All the eggs have the usual shell markings of 

 pale purplish gray aud light neutral tint. 



The eggs may bo distinguished from those of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, which they closely 

 resemble, by their warmer color. 



Most of the eggs obtained were collected in 1883. The first nest was taken on June 20, a 

 full set of eggs slightly incubated. Although eggs were found to contain large embryos as early 

 as June 28, perfectly fresh, eggs were found July 0, aud the last eggs brought in, July 12, 

 contained only small embryos. 



536. ACTODROMAS FUSCICOLLIS (Vieill.) Ridgw. 



BONAPARTE'S SANDPIPER (Kai'nialu). 



This is the first record of the occurrence of this species west of the Mackenzie Eiver region, 

 where McFarlane found it breeding, and it appears to be hardly more than a straggler at Point 

 Barrow. 



It was not observed in the spring of 1882, and an accident revealed its presence in 1883. A 

 shot fired June 6 into a flock of Pectoral Sandpipers brought down one of these birds along with 

 four or five of the other species. 



After this, of course, a careful lookout was kept for this species, but only one other was seen, 

 just a month later, alone on the tundra. The bird was also secured. Both were males aud appar- 

 ently breeding birds. 



537. ACTODROMAS BAIRDI Couea. 



BAIUD'S SANDPIPER 



Though this little sandpiper is by no means uncommon, the natives seem to make no dis- 

 tinction between it and A. maculata, calling both by the same name. 



They arrive about May 30, while, there is still a good deal of snow remaining on the tundra, 

 and are usually to be found along the edges of the pools at the top of the beach. After the tundra 

 becomes clear of snow, they retreat back from the beach and are especially to be looked for on dry 

 grassy portions of the tundra, particularly along the shores of our lagoon. 



They are never very common and always solitary or in pairs, a quiet retiring little bird that 

 never indulges in any of the conspicuous breeding antics noticed among the other waders. 



The nest was always well hidden in the grass, and never placed in marshy ground or on the 

 bare black parts of tundra, and consists merely of a slight depression in the ground thinly lined 

 with dried grass. All the eggs we found were obtained from the last week in Juno to the first 

 week of July, a trifle later than the other waders. 



The sitting female when disturbed exhibits the greatest solicitude, running about with droop- 

 ing outspread wings, and loud outcry, and uses every possible wile to attract the intruder from 

 the eggs. 



The nest is so well concealed, and forms so inconspicuous an object that the only practical way 

 to secure the eggs is to withdraw to one side and allow the sitting bird to return, carefully marking 

 where she alights. Having done this on one occasion and failing to find the eggs, after flushing 

 the bird two or three times, I discovered that I had walked on the eggs, though I had been look- 

 ing for them most carefully. 



They leave after the breeding season in the same unobtrusive way that they have conducted 

 themselves during all their stay, never collecting into flocks. We saw them occasionally during July. 



