North American Birds Eggs. 



113 



232. Long-billed Dowitcher. Murnirluiinpliux xciihqKicnia. 



Range. — Whole of North America, but not common on the Athintic coast; 

 breeds in the Arctic regions and migrates chietiy tlirougli the central antl west- 

 ern parts of the United States to ISIexico. 



This bird is practically the same as the last, but 

 is a trifle larger and the bill averages about a half 

 inch longer. They are very numerous in their 

 breeding haunts, and, during their migrations, fly 

 in large compact flocks. They are not very timid, 

 and consequently fall an easy prey to the gunners. 

 Their nesting habits and eggs are the same as the 

 last species, except that the eggs may average a 

 trifle larger. Size 1.75 x 1.15. Data. — Norton Is., 

 Alaska, June, 1900. Nest a small hollow in the 

 drygr(iund. 4eggs. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodtish. 



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[( rreenish biO'f. 



233. Stilt Sandoiper. Micropalamn himantcquiK, 



Range. — North America, east of the Rocky Mountains; breeds in the Arctic 

 regions and winters from the Gulf States southward. 



In the summer, these birds may be known liy the reddish coloration of the 

 underparts, which are numerously barred; they are smaller than the preceding, 

 length about 8 inches. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the ma- 

 jority of the members of the family. The three or four eggs are huffy or grayish, 

 and are blotched and spotted with shades of brown. Size 1.40 x 1.00. 



234. Knot. Triiii/a ciniutiit!. 



Range.— Arctic regions in summer; south through the Tnited States, chiefly 

 on the Atlantic coast, to South America. 



Of about the same size as the Dowitchers, length 10.5 inches, but with a much 

 shorter bill. In summer the entire under parts are a unifurm retldish chestnut 

 color. They are known to breed in Arctic America, from Point Barrow and 

 Hudson Bay, northward, but no authentic eggs are known, at present, tn exist 

 in collections. t)ne taken from a bird by Lieut. Greely, was a pea green colur, 

 specked with brown; size 1.10 x 1.00. As it was not fully developed, it was prob- 

 ably correct neither as to size nor color. 



235. Purple Sandpiper. Ar([iiateUii maritima. 



Range. — .\.rctic regions, wintering south to the Middle States and the Great 

 Lakes, but chieflv on the coast. 



A grayish and blackish colored species, about 9 

 inches long. It nests in northern Labrador, about 

 Hudson Bay and in Iceland. Its eggs are a grayish 

 bufl' color, handsomely splashed with rich shades of 

 brown and obscure markings of darker gray. Data. — 

 Northern Iceland, June 7, 1897. 4 eggs. Nest a hollow 

 in the ground among grass and weeds and lined with 

 a few grasses. Collector, C. Jefferys. 



