BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT.- 287 



New York, 1844). Abundant (Maynard, eastern Massachu- 

 setts, 1870). Abundant in migration; few sometimes seen in 

 summer (J. A. Allen, 1879). Still abundant in New England, 

 but flocks not so numerous as formerly (Chamberlain, 1891). 

 Common migrant on coast (Hoffmann, 1904). Formerly 

 abundant (Brewster, Cambridge region, Mass., 1906). Seven 

 Massachusetts observers who reported in 1908 recorded an 

 increase in the numbers of this species, and seventy-three 

 noted a decrease. The species, though greatly reduced in 

 numbers, is still common and often locally abundant in New 

 York and New England. 



Much that has been said of the Least Sandpiper will apply 

 quite as well to the Semipalmated. Its former abundance and 

 its present diminution parallel that of the latter. Its habits 

 are much the same, and usually it is confounded with the 

 Semipalmated Sandpiper. 



This bird, however, is more of a sand bird and less of 

 a mud bird than its smaller companion. It often is very 

 tame and confiding, but sometimes is rendered shy by sad 

 experience. It is called easily and thus enticed to the slaughter. 

 Its breeding grounds lie mainly farther north than those of the 

 Least Sandpiper, and it migrates farther south, even to Pat- 

 agonia. It winters in a large part of eastern South America, 

 Central America, Mexico and the West Indies and on the Gulf 

 coast of the United States. It is noted in numbers all along 

 the Atlantic coast of the United States in fall, but is rather 

 rare there in spring. Formerly it summered in some numbers 

 in .Massachusetts and some other northern States, and a few 

 have remained here in recent years, but they were non-breeding 

 birds. 



These smaller Sandpipers are chased and taken sometimes 

 by Hawks, but although I have seen some long and persistent 

 pursuits I never saw one caught. Once as I drifted with the 

 wind in a canoe, watching a flock feeding on the shore of a 

 quiet bay, a crippled bird standing on one leg amidst its com- 

 panions tucked its head into the feathers of its back, as if 

 napping. Soon a Sharp-shinned Hawk swooped at the little 

 birds, but the cripple was wide awake and away in an instant, 



