66 WATER BIRDS 



Bailey describes them as quick to take alarm, but I 

 have had them pick up food almost under my feet. 

 Their habit of frequenting the meadows in the vicinity 

 of water and hiding in the long grass has given them 

 the name of "Meadow Oxeye." On account of their 

 small size, they escape the covetous eye of sportsmen 

 and plume-hunters, and are in little danger of being 

 decimated by the gun. When newly hatched, the young 

 are not larger than a man's thumb, and they begin im- 

 mediately to run about on their spry little legs. 



243 a. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER, OR OX BIRD. 

 Tringa alpina pacifica. 



(Common names : American Dunlin ; Lead Back ; Black 



Breast.) 



Family : The Snipes and Sandpipers. 



Length: 7.50-8.00. 



Adults in Summer: Upper parts bright reddish-brown, more or less 



mottled and streaked with black ; breast whitish, streaked with 

 ■ dark gray ; centre of belly black ; sides and lower belly white. 

 Adults in Winter ; Upper parts brownish gray, streaked with dark 



gray ; breast ashy, streaked indistinctly with darker ; rump, throat, 



and belly white. 

 Young: Similar to winter adults, but with upper parts streaked with 



black and buffy. 

 Geographical Distribution : North America ; south in winter to South 



America. 

 Breeding Range : Arctic regions. 

 Nest : A slight hollow ; lined with grass. 

 Eggs ; 3 or 4 ; grayish buffy or greenish white, dotted with shades of 



brown. Size 1.43 X 1.01. 



This species may be known in any plumage by its 

 curved "bill. It is common along the coast of California 



