^voi] m'chesiti':y ox birds of Dakota. 89 



The majority pass further north, and return early in July, fi-om ^yhich 

 time the Avocet is qnite a fauiihar shore bird around the preferred hikes, 

 until the approach of Tvinter drives it south, usually October 30. 



PHALAROPODID^. 



Steganopus wilsoni, (Sab.) Coues. — Wilsoii's Phalarope. 



Is found here from about May 17 until July 24, by which time the 

 young- are well on the wing, and fully able to care for themselves. It is 

 siugular that this bird should leave this region so early, but close search 

 has failed to reveal its presence after July. 



SCOLOPACID^. 



Philohela minor, (Gm.) Gr. — American Woodcoclc. 



Sexes are alike in color. 



First three outer quills incised and scythe-shaped; wings short, when closed the 

 quills hidden by the coverts and tertiaries; legs feathered nearly to the joint in front, 

 shorter than middle toe and claw, scaly before and behind; toe slender, free to the 

 base ; bill much longer than the head, stout and deep at base, grooved nearly its 

 whole length, the tip knobbed; gape very short and narrow; ear under the eye, which 

 is set in the back upjier corner of the head ; colors above variegated and haimoniously 

 blended black, brown, gray, and russet; below pale warm brown of variable shade. 

 $ 10-11; $ 11-12; extent lG-18; wing 4^5; bill 2^3; weight 5-9 ozs. Bogs, swamps, 

 wet woodland, and fields. Occurs in the eastern, and jjrobably southern, portions of 

 Dakota. 



The only Woodcock I have seen in this vicinity was one shot by my 

 friend Capt. John Yander Horck, July 28, 1877 ; it was captured on a 

 piece of low, marshy ground, some five miles north of the post, and from 

 its manner of flight and behavior before being' shot I mistook it for a 

 Carolina Rail. It is quite ijrobable that such ha^ hapi)ened to me be- 

 fore, and that this bird may occur in small numbers on the ''Ooteau des 

 Prairies" during July. 



Since the above was written, and during- my absence in the summer 

 of 1878, several Woodcock have been taken in the vicinity of Fort 

 Sisseton. 



Gallinago wilsoni, (Temm.) Bp. — American Snipe. 



Sexes are alike in color. 



Bill much longer than the head, perfectly straight, soft to the end, where it is some- 

 what widened, and grooved on toi:» ; gape narrow, not reaching beyond the; cxtrenie 

 base of uppei- mandible; ear under eye; legs feathered nearly to the joint, a little 

 shorter than middle toe and claw; toes perfectly free; crown black, with a pale 

 middle stripe; back varied Avith black, bright bay, and tawny, the latter forming 

 two lengthwise stripes on the shoulders; neck and breast speckled with brown and 

 dusky; lining of wings barred with black and white; tail usually of IG feathers, 

 barred with black, white, and chestnut; sides waved and dusky; belly dull white; 

 (luills blackish, the outer white-edged. Length 9-11 ; wing 4^5i ; bill about 2^ ; whole 

 naked portion of leg and foot aboiit 3. 



"This is the genuine Snipe, of all birds loosely so called; its name of English Snipe is 

 a misnomer, as it is indigenous to this country, and distinct from any Europcau spe- 

 cies, though closely resembling one of them. Open wet places of Noilh America afc 

 large; migratory." 



