BIEDS — SCOLOPACIDAE — TEIKGA MAEITIMA. 



717 



feathers of the back, however, lack that distinct whitish border with the dark line margining 

 it inside, while canutus is without the black or dark brown central areas in the scapulars and 

 back. 



The bird here described was shot on .the 24th of May, 1833, on Eaynor South, Long Island, 

 by Mr. Wm. Cooper, and I take much pleasure in giving to it his name, as that of almost the 

 only living member of the band of zealous ornithologists who years ago studied the birds of 

 North America, especially of the Atlantic coast, with so much zeal and success. Of these Wilson, 

 Say, Audubon, Bonaparte, and DeKay, have passed away, while Peale and Cooper still remain. 



It is possible that this species may have been previously indicated under some of the names 

 quoted as synonyms, such as Tringa noveboracensis, &c., although, from the brevity of the 

 descriptions, it is impossible to determine this point satisfactorily. — S. F. B. 



List of specimens. 



Arquatella, B a i r d . 

 TEINGA MAEITIMA, Briinnich. 



Pnrple Sandpiper. 



Tringa maritima, Brcnnich, Orn. Bor. 1764, 54. — Bon. Am. Orn. III. — NnxT. Man. II, 115. — Aud. Orn. Biog. Ill, 



1835, 558 ; pi. 284.— Ib. Birds Amer. V, 1842, 261 ; pi. 330. 

 Pelidna maritima, Bon. List. 1842. 

 ITringa striata, Linn, Syst. I, 1766, 248. 



Tringa nigricans, Montagu, Linn. Trans. IV, 1796, 40 ; pi. ii. 

 Tringa arquatella, Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-As. II, 1811, 190. 

 Figures.— Aud, B. of Am. pi. 284 ; oct. ed. V, pi. 330. Gould B. of Eur. IV, pi. 344. Naumann B. of Germ. pi. 188. 



Sp. Ch. — Bill rather longer than the head, straight, compressed ; nasal groove long ; wings long ; tail short, rounded ; legs 

 moderate; toes free at base, flattened underneath and slightly margined; hind toe small. Entire head and upper parts dark 

 smoky brown, with a purple and violet tinge, strongest on the back and scapulars. Under parts from the breast white, generally 

 with longitudinal spots of dark ashy. Wing coverts more or less edged and tipped with white ; quills brownish black, edged 

 with white ; middle tail feathers brownish black, outer feathers lighter, with their shafts white ; axillaries and under wing 

 coverts white. Bill yellow at base, dark at tip ; legs yellow. Total length about 8 to 9 inches ; wing 5 ; tail 2| ; bill from 

 gape, 11 ; tarsus, 1 inch. 



Hah. — Eastern North America; Europe. 



The purple sandpiper, though not an abundant species, is frequently met with on the shores 

 of the Atlantic, where it is diffused throughout the extent of temperate North America. It is 

 also a winter visitant to tropical and South America. American and European specimens appear 



absolutely identical. 



List of specimens. 



