^o-'^-'i M'CHESNEY ON BIRDS OF DAKOTA. 93 



and remains until October 28. During May and the early i^art of June 

 it is very common ; but from the latter time until near the end of July, 

 but few are met with; but as fall comes on, its numbers increase, and 

 from the 1st of September to the end of the season it is very abundant 

 here. It breeds in this vicinity. 

 The specimen measures as follows: 



No. 672, <J, 20.50 x 10.98; wing 6.32; tail 2..50; tars. 2.2J; m. t. & claw, 1.43; bill 1.53. 



Tringoides macularitjs, (L.) Gray. — Spotted Sandpixjer. 



Is found here in small numbers from about 1st of July to the 8th of 

 September. 

 The specimen measures as follows : 



No. 669, $, 13.00 X 8.10; wing 4.10; tail 2.30. 



AcTiTURUS bartramius, (Wils.) Bp. — Upland Plover. 



Sexes are alike iu color. 



Bill straight, about as long as the liead, grooved f of its length, the gape very deep, 

 reaching nearly to below the eyes, the feathers extending on the upper bill beyond 

 those on the lower, which do not fill the space between the forks of the lower jaw ; tail 

 very long, more than half the wing, graduated ; legs much longer than middle toe and 

 claw; legs bare nearly the length of the latter: length 11-13; wing 6-7; tail 3-4; 

 bill l-llr". above, blackish, with a slight greenish reflection, variegated with tawny 

 and whitish; below, x^ale tawny, of varying shade, bleaching on throat and belly; 

 lower throat Avith streaks; breast and sides with arrowheads and bars of blackish; 

 armpits and lining of wings pure white, black-barred ; quills blackish, with white bars 

 on the inner webs ; tail varied with tawny, black and white, chiefly in bars ; bill and 

 legs pale, former black-tipped. 



Korth America; abundant; migratory; a highly esteemed game bird, 

 usually found in flocks, in fields, not necessarily near water. 



The Upland Plover is very abundant here from May 10 until near the 

 end of August, and breeds nearly everywhere on the prairie. Tlie bird 

 is in good condition for the table from the time of its arrival, and is justly 

 highly appreciated for its delicate flavor. About the middle of August, 

 this Plover commences to congregate in large flocks, when it becomes 

 quite shy, so that its capture is attended Nvith considerable difficulty. 

 Takes its departure about August 26. 



Tryngites rueescens, (V.) Cab. — Biiff-hreasted Sandpaper. 



This strange Sandj)iper is seen here a few times each year during the 

 spring migration. On May 22, 1876, while out hunting on the open 

 prairie, a flock containing thirty or forty passed near me, from which one 

 was secured. Two or three others were taken later in the season, on as 

 many diiferent occasions. Of the habits of this bird I know nothing. 

 I have only seen it in open country on the wing, and quick must be the 

 sportsman who then brings it to bag, for it is a whiz-z-z, and the birds 

 are gone. 



]SrujViENius LONaiROSTRis, Wils^ — LongMlUd Curlew. 



Sexes are alike in color. 



Bill of extreme length and curvature, measuring from 5 to 8 or 9 inches ; total length 

 about two feet : wing a foot or less ; tail about 4 inches. Plumage very similar to 



