Plate LXIII. 



Fig. 5. BARJRAMIA LONGICAUDA-Baviram's Sandpiper. 



The Bertram's Sandpiper, or Upland Plover, is often met with in large numbers during the migratory 

 time in spring and fall, and in the summer time it is by no means rare, though not near so common 

 as some Ohio authors have stated it to be. 



It nests in May or June, rearing but a single brood during the season. 



LOCALITY: 



. Upland fields of clover, grass, or wheat, in the neighborhood of a pond or marshy piece of land 

 are usually selected by these birds for their summer home. I have found them most frequently in 

 clover fields adjoining the Ohio canal. 



POSITION : 



The nest rests upon the ground in a little depression and is concealed by the vegetation surrounding 

 it. Frequently an open space a foot or two in diameter and almost free from any living thing is the 

 chosen site. 



MATERIALS : 



A few blades of grass or stalks of clover or wheat are carelessly placed in the depression after it 

 has been properly cleared by the bird, and upon this as a suitable resting place the mother-bird lays 

 her eggs. There is not enough of the nest to give it any importance or character. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs consists of three or four, usually the latter number. The} r are quite blunt 

 at one end and pointed at the other. In long-diameter they measure from 1.75 to 1.90; and in short- 

 diameter, from 1.25 to 1.38. A common size is about 1.30x1.85. The ground-color of the shell varies 

 in different specimens from light drab to yellowish-brown. A little Vandyke-brown and raw sienna gives 

 the ordinary tint. The markings consist of blotches, spots, and speckles, distributed in various proportions 

 over the entire shell. Some eggs contain a number of bold blotches, others are entirely speckled, but 

 whatever the combination of blotches, spots, and speckles, the shell is pretty uniformly covered. The 

 surface marks are usually Vandyke-brown, laid on boldly and distinctly. The deep shell marks appear 

 Pa}^ne's grey or neutral tint, and are seldom abundant. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 



The size and shape of the eggs under consideration are sufficient to identify them, as they are 

 considerably larger than any other eggs which bear a close resemblance in shell tints and markings. 



263 



