BIRDS FOUND ALONG THE BEACHES 65 



If disturbed, the mother flies a short distance with a 

 shrill cry and, hiding behind a tussock, watches the 

 intruder but makes no attempt to defend. 



By September 1 the adults are in winter plumage and 

 ready for their trip south. 



242. LEAST SANDPIPER, OR MEADOW OXEYE. 



Tringa minuiilla. 



Family : The Snipes and Sandpipers. 



Length: 5.00-7.00. 



Adults in Stcmmer : Upper parts dusky, nearly black ; feathers edged 



with light red-hrown ; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones gray ; 



upper throat, belly, and sides white ; neck and breast yellowish 



white, streaked with dusky. 

 Adults in Winter : Upper parts lighter than in summer, and clouded 



with dusky ; under parts light gray, finely streaked with darker. 

 Young : Similar, but with heavy black streak through crown and middle 



of back. 

 Geographical Distribution: North America, wintering from the Gulf 



States southward. 

 Breeding Range : From Canada to arctic regions. 

 Breeding Season : May 15 to June 15. 

 Nest : A slight depression in the dry ground near water ; usually lined 



with leaves and grasses. 

 Eggs ; 3 or 4 ; light gray, speckled with cinnamon and lavender. Size 



1.15 X 0.85. 



These tiny little Sandpipers are commonly found in 

 flocks, alone or in company with the semipalmated sand- 

 pipers, along the shores of the bays and lakes of Cali- 

 fornia during the fall, winter, and spring. They trip 

 lightly along the beaches, just at the edge of the water, 

 with a dainty bobbing walk, scurrying out of the reach 

 of a wave, picking up bugs and water insects, and so 

 absorbed in the fun that they forget to be afraid. Mr. 



5 



