BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS, 367 



The Red backed Sandpiper, Tringa alpina^ is called in 

 England the Dunlin, in this country the Red-back, or the Ox- 

 bird. They make their way to the north in the spring, where 

 they go far within the arctic circle. In September they re- 

 turn, and are seen in company with other sand birds, running 

 gaily before the breaking waves. 



ScHiNz's Sandpiper, Tringa Schinzii, has been found by 

 Mr. Oakes in this State. Bonaparte says it is common in 

 autumn, on the coast of New Jersey. They resemble other 

 sandpipers in their habits and food, but even Audubon has 

 never found them breeding. 



The Pectoral Sandpiper, Tringa pectoralis, is more abun- 

 dant on the shores of Massachusetts Bay than in any other part 

 of the country. They arrive at the last of August, and remain 

 till the fall of the leaf, feeding on insects and a kind of sea- 

 weed. Their northern breeding places are as yet entirely un- 

 known. 



The Buff breasted Sandpiper, Tringa rufescens, is not 

 uncommon in the Boston market, in August and September, 

 but so rare in other parts of the country, that Wilson never 

 saw it, and Audubon first met with it in England. He re- 

 ceived a wing of this bird from Captain Ross, that was picked 

 up by a sailor on the xirctic expedition, and this is all we know 

 concerning it in the regions where it must undoubtedly breed. 

 Here it associates with the preceding species, which it resem- 

 bles in form, though not in plumage, and feeds with it, on in- 

 sects, particularly grasshoppers, Avhich abound in the neigh- 

 borhood of the sea. 



The Broad billed Sandpiper, Tringa platyrhinca^ is very 

 rare in the United States, but I am enabled to add it to our 

 list, on the authority of Mr. S. Cabot, Jr., who procured a spec- 

 imen at Nahant, the only one which, to my knowledge, has 

 been found in Massachusetts. 



