North American Birds Eggs. 



117 



246. Semipalmated Sandpiper, f^irunctrs piit^illus. 



Range. — Whcile of Niirth America, but chiefly in tlie eastern and central parts, 

 breeding about the ponds and streams of Labrador and Hudson Bay, and north- 

 ward. These little Sandpipers are abundant during the 

 migrations either in marshes or on beaches. They are 

 most often found in company with other species, such 

 as the Spotted and Least Sandpipers. Tlieir appearance 

 is very similar to that of the Least Sandpipers, but they 

 are slightly larger and the feet are partially webbed. 

 Their eggs have a greenisli buff or grayisli ground c<dor 

 and are spotted with brownish or blackish, sometimes, 

 so heavilv as to completely obscure the shell color. 

 Size 1.20 X .80. Data. — Small island near Ukak, Lab- 

 rador, July 3, 18i)5. 2 eggs. Nest a hollow at the foot of a tuft of grass, lined 



with a few liits of grass and small leaves. Eggs unmistakable '" 



type. Collected for .J. D. S(jrnberger. 



IHrayish 



tliis dark 



247. Western Sandpiper. Ercunetcs ocriilrnialis. 



('irayish buff J 



Range.— Western North America, breeding in the Arctic 

 regions and migrating through the Tnited States, chiefly 

 west of the Mississippi to the Gulf States and southward. 



Scarcely to be distinguished from the preceding species, 

 but the upper parts are said to be brighter and the hill, to 

 average a tritie longer. The nesting habits and eggs are 

 precisely the same as those of the Semipalmated variety. 

 Data.— Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, June 28, 181)8. 

 Four eggs. Nest a neatly rounded hollow, sunk into a 



mossy hummock in marshy ground. Collector, Joseph Grinnell. 



248. Sanderling. Calirlris areiinria. 



Range. — Found in all parts of the northern hemisphere, breeiling within the 

 Arctic Circle and wintering, in North America, from California and South Caro- 

 lina southward. 



A handsome and abundant species, found during migrations by thousands 

 on beaches and about large bodies of water in the 

 interior. They are one of the lightest colored of the 

 Sandpipers, either in winter or summer plumage. In 

 summer the upper parts are a light rusty color and 

 black, and the whole underparts are white. Owing to 

 their extreme northerly distribution in summer, but 

 few of their eggs have been taken. Their nesting 

 habits are like those of the other Sandpipers. The 

 three or four eggs are greenish buff in color, spotted 

 and blotched with brown. Size 1.45 x .1)5. Data.— 

 Peel River, Alaska, June 18, 181)7. Three eggs in a 

 depression on the ground. 



ilireciiish buffj. 



