GRALLAE — SCOLOPACID.E — TOTANUS. 
24 ? 
This is a familiar bird, found in small families along every stream, and the borders of 
ponds and lakes throughout the Union. It is known in the books under the names of Spotted 
Sandpiper and Tattler, but is better known among the people by the name of Peet-weet, in 
allusion to its notes ; or of Teeter and Tiltup, from its often repeated grotesque jerking 
motions. It appears with us in April from its southern winter quarters, and disappears about 
the beginning of November. It breeds in this State and farther north, laying pale yellowish 
eggs, which are spotted with dark brown. Food, insects and worms. It ranges from Mexico 
to the 57th parallel, and has been accidentally found in Europe. 
THE GREY PLOVER. 
Totanus bartramius. 
PLATE xcm. FIG. 209. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Tringa bartramia. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 7, p. 63, pi. 59, fig. 2. 
Totanus id. Ord’s reprint, p. 67. Bonaparte, Ann. L.yc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 325. Rich. F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 391. 
Tringa id. AfJDUBON, B. of A. Vol. 5, p. 248, pi. 327. 
Totanus (Euliga) id. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 168. 
Actiturus id. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 51. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 226. 
Characteristics. Bill short, somewhat curving from near the middle. Wings much shorter 
than the tapering tail: first quill barred on the inner web. Length, 12'5. 
Description. Bill scarcely longer than the head, slender, straight, curving near the tip, 
l'l long, and subequal with the tarsus. Tibia bare for nearly half its length. Inner toe 
cleft to the base. Tail much rounded, exceeding the tips of the wings. 
Color. Bill yellowish at the base, dusky at the tip ; legs yellowish green. Crown dark 
brown, with a central yellowish brown line. Upper parts greyish, more or less tinged with 
rufous. Axillaries and lower wing-coverts white, banded with dusky. Eye with a light space 
around it. Throat whitish, unspotted : throat and breast yellowish, with dusky lines ; arrow- 
headed spots beneath. Shaft of thee first quill white ; the others dusky. Two middle tail- 
feathers dark olive brown, barred with black ; edges cream-colored; the outer white: all 
barred with black. 
Length, 12’0—13'0. 
This much esteemed game bird is very shy, and requires great caution and skill on the 
part of the sportsman. It is known under the various names of Grey Plover, Grass Plover, 
Upland Plover and Field Plover. In the books it is described under the names of Bartram's 
Tatler, and Sandpiper. It ranges from Texas to the Arctic circle, and breeds from Mary¬ 
land northwardly. It is not a coast bird, but roams and breeds freely through the interior. 
The eggs are dull yellow, with brownish spots. Feeds on grasshoppers. In July and August 
it appears in large flocks on its way to the south. It leaves us in September. 
