198 TJ. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 217 



the species of Arctic migratory birds, the pectoral sandpipers are no- 

 tably variable in weight. 



The arrival of pectoral sandpipers at Old Crow was later than the 

 usual date for the beginning of the large migration through Anaktu- 

 vuk. Judging from the few birds seen in comparison with their num- 

 bers migrating through Anaktuvuk, Old Crow is not an important sta- 

 tion on the migratory route of pectoral sandpipers, and there was no 

 evidence for their nesting. From their wintering places pectoral sand- 

 pipers migrate in spring northward from Peru mainly across interior 

 States and Provinces east of the mountains (A. O. U., Check-list, 

 1957) , so their arrival in Arctic Yukon and Alaska is probably from 

 the east and southeast. 



The Indian name is Teggetesel, 



Erolia bairdii (Coues) 



2 males May 29 weight 38.4, 39.6 g. fat (2) testes 5x7, 6x5 and 



5x8.6, 4x6.5 mm. 



From their wintering place south of northern Ecuador, Baird's 

 sandpipers migrate northward through the prairie States and Prov- 

 inces (A. O. U., Check-list, 195 Y) ; and probably reach Old Crow from 

 the east or southeast, but only a few groups containing two or three 

 Baird's sandpipers were seen there, in sharp contrast to the great 

 numbers migrating through and nesting near Anaktuvuk. 



Erolia minutilla (Vieillot) 



1 male 



May 20 



weight 22.1 g. 



medium fat 



testes 3.5x6 mm. 



1 male 



May 23 



weight 22.1 g. 



Uttle fat 



testes 2.5x3.5 mm. 



1 female 



May 17 



weight 20.1 g. 



fat 



eggs 1,75 mm. 



1 female 



May 23 



weight 24.9 g. 



fat 



eggs 2.75 mm. 



It gives reassurance that spring is progressing to see these little 

 sandpipers arrive in the Arctic. Two were seen feeding at the border 

 of a marshy pool on May 17 and later a few were seen each day during 

 May. On May 23 a dozen least sandpipers were running over the float- 

 ing debris among the flooded willows on the margin of the river. No 

 flocks were seen and their delightful song was not heard. On June 3 

 near Kenneth Nukon's cabm a pair was seen fluttering about together 

 near the ground in courting manner with their wings rapidly beating 

 like those of a large moth. The migration of least sandpipers through 

 Old Crow was small and left only a few pairs nesting in the valley. 



Since there is a wide wintering range from south of Oregon to 

 North Carolina (A. O. U., Check-list, 1957) the source of these tiny 

 migrants cannot be suggested. 



The Indian name is Tagatsil. 



