AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER, 



177 



A. O. U. No. 261. (Barti-amia longicauda.) 



RANGE. 



Quite abundant throughout North America, North to Alaska and 

 Nova Scotia. Breeds throughout its range, but chiefly in the northern 

 parts. Migrates south of the United States and into South America. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, 12 in.; extent, 23 in.; tail, 3.5 in. Bill and feet, dull yellow- 

 ish. Above, black, all the feathers having tawny edges. The second- 

 aries are barred regularly with black and brownish. The rump and tail 

 are brownish, the latter shading through orange brown to white on the 

 outer feathers and being barred regularly with black. The tawny color 

 of the upper parts extends across the breast. The rest of the under 

 parts are white. The breast and sides are marked with arrow shaped 

 spots. 



NEST AND EGGS. 



This Sandpiper breeds abundantly on the western prairies and 

 throughout Canada. Its nest is a hollow on the ground in which four 

 eggs are laid. These are of a more or less bright buffy color and are 

 heavily spotted and blotched with brown, particularly about the larger 

 end. They breed frequently in pastures and on hillsides. 



HABITS. 



There are exceptions to nearly every rule. We generally think of a 

 Sandpiper or Plover as a bird of the marsh or beach. Most of them 

 are, but the present species is one of the few that prefer a different 

 mode of life. The broad prairie or hillsides and pastures are their 

 favorite abiding places. There may be water within easy access, but if 

 so, the locality is not chosen because of it as they are just as often 

 found breeding miles away from any supply. Unlike the shore Sand- 

 pipers their food consists almost entirely of insects and seeds. 



On the prairies in their breeding grounds they are very fearless and 



