BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN STATES 2gI 
shallow water on sandy shores where their clear piping, weet, weet, or 
tweet, tweet, are very familiar sounds. Godwits have bills that are curved 
slightly upward, while the long bill of the Curlews is bent downward 
quite strongly. It is difficult for the amateur to identify the various 
species, but if he sees one of them he should at least recognize it as 
belonging to this group. 
242 Least Sandpiper. Length 
6 inches. 
These are the smallest of our 
shore birds and are generally 
seen in flocks near our waters 
in spring and fall, but in the 
summer most of them go farther 
north to breed. The colors of 
the upper parts are browns and 
black ;. under parts white, the 
breast being streaked with 
brown. M.and5S.R. 
261 Upland Plover. Bartramian Sandpiper. Length 113 inches. 
This bird lives on our prairies and is seldom found near the water. 
Its presence in the neighborhood may be known by its loud, prolonged, 
weird, whistling cry, — chr—r-r-r-ee-e-e-e-e-0-0-0-0-ee. May be recog- 
nized by its peculiar appearance when 
alighting: it stretches its wings high over 
its back as if to smooth every feather 
before gently folding them. A popular 
game bird. Is of great value as an insect 
destroyer, but has been almost extermi- 
nated by hunters. Colors, brown and 
buff above; creamy white below, much 
spotted with dark brown. Common S.R. 
263 Spotted Sandpiper. Length 73 inches. 
In summer this is the principal sand- 
piper near our rivers, lakes, and ponds. A 
rapid runner and a comical teeterer. Its 
sharp peabvert is given when flushed. Brownish gray back; white 
under parts much spotted with black. Very common S.R. 
UPLAND PLOVER 
SPOTTED SANDPIPER 
