66 THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



Savage found a. nest at Grass Lake, Illinois, in May, 1901, which 

 contained four eggs of this species. Mr. Nelson says:* "Mr. 

 T. H. Douglas has obtained its eggs near Waukegan, and while 

 there in the spring of 1876, I found several pairs during the 

 breeding season, in various portions of the marsh ^near that 

 place." The Snipes arrive within our limits about the last of 

 March, the larger number leaving early in May. In the fall 

 they arrive in September and remain until the ground is frozen 

 over. 



The range of Wilson's Snipe includes the whole of North 

 America, the West Indies and the northern part of South Amer- 

 ica. It breeds north of the United States. 



Genus MACEORHAMPHUS Leach, 1816. 



Macrorhamphns griseus (Gmelin). Dowitcher. 

 Scolopax griseus Gmelin, S. N., I, ii, 1788, 658. 



Macrorhamphns griseus Leach, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mam. & Birds, 1816, 31. 

 Popular synonyms: Gkat S^'IPE. Geat-back. Dowitch. Robin 

 Si?iPE. Eed-bbeasted Jack. Red-beeasted Snbpe. 



A very rare migrant. May the sixth is the earliest recorded 

 spring arrival and September is the latest fall record. A few 

 stragglers may be seen during July and August, principally on 

 the sandy shores . of our lakes and small ponds. Mr. E. W. 

 Nelson says:* "Rather common migrant. Passes north, often 

 in large flocks, in May and returns the first of August, and 

 lingers in small numbers about muddy pools until well into 

 October. Quite unsuspicious, while feeding and will allow a 

 near approach." Mr. Robert Ridgway says :f "It is apparently 

 more abundant along the Atlantic coast than in the interior, but 

 its presence in Illinois is attested by specimens in the National 

 Museum collection, received from Mr. H. K. Coale, and collected 

 by him near Chicago." I have the following records of the 

 capture of this rare bird : 



Frank M. Woodruff, at Liverpool, Indiana, September 2, 

 1892. 



Frank M. Woodruff, at South Chicago, May 6, 1893. 



J. Grafton Parker, Jr., at Grand Crossing, July 19, 1893. 



The range of the Dowitcher covers eastern North America, 

 breeding in the far north. South in winter to the West Indies 

 and Brazil. 



*Birds of NortheaBtcrn Illinois. Ball, of the Essex Institute, Vol. Vm, 1876, 126. 

 tBirds of Illinois, Vol. II, pt. i. 1895, 39. 



