704 Ebpobt of State Geologist. 



Eare migrant, more often seen in July, August and September after 

 breeding season. These are usually young birds, they are generally 

 found in flocks of three to ten. They accompany the Yellow-legs, 

 Pectoral, Least and Semipalmated Sandpiper. Mr. P. M. WoodrufE, 

 of Chicago, informs me he has a bird of this species in his collection 

 that was taken September 9, 1892. He has notes of it in Cook 

 County, 111., near the Indiana line, May 6, 1893; September 23, 1893; 

 and Mr. J. G. Parker, Jr., has taken it three times in July; July 4, 

 1887; July 19 and 21, 1893. 



I do not know the relative numbers of the two forms of this bird 

 found within the State, but think that this will prove to be much the 

 rarer. 



91. (232). Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). 



Long-billed Dowitclier. 



Synonyms, Greater Gray-back, Red-bellied Snipe. 



Adult in Summer. — Similar to M. griseus but averaging larger; 

 abdomen, pale cinnamon, like rest of lower parts. Bill larger. Win- 

 ter plumage and Immature known from last species by larger size. 



Length, 11.00-12.50; wing, 5.40-6.00 (average 5.74); bill, 2.10-3.00 

 (2.72); tarsus, 1.35-1.75 (1.58). 



Eange. — South America, north to Alaska, principally migratory 

 through Mississippi Valley and Western States. Fot common on At- 

 lantic coast. Breeds in Alaska. Winters from Gulf coast south. 



Nest and Eggs, indistinguishable from those of M. griseus. 



Eare migrant. Of all the references to Dowitcher only one refers 

 to the short-billed form. That I have mentioned under the last 

 mentioned species. All others are ref errd to here, but as most of them 

 are claimed to represent this form it is probably by far the most com- 

 mon with us. In the spring it is noted in March, April and May, and 

 later it probably appears in July, and remains through August like 

 the last mentioned bird. The earliest record I have for the State is 

 March 11, 1889. On that date one specimen was taken and another 

 seen at English Lake (Deane). Mr. Jesse Earlle took a specimen at 

 Greencastle May 14, 1890, and the next day Mr. Alex. Black took an- 

 other which has been very kindly placed in my collection. On May 

 28 or 29, 1891, another one was taken by Mr. Black. Mr. Dury re- 

 ports this species in spring and fall, from English Lake. He also 

 notes it from English Lake, and one from Kouts, Ind., April 30, 1890. 

 These localities are represented by specimens in the Cuvier Club col- 



