Harris — Birds of the Kansas City Region. 251 



PisoBiA MiNUTiLLA (Vieillot). Least Sandpiper. 

 Very common migrant. 



The Least Sandpiper arrives as early as the 2nd of April and 

 is present until the last week in May. The earliest southbound 

 flock noted was on July 12, 1914, about three weeks earlier than 

 the average time of arrival. The last have usually left by the 

 last week in October. 



This sandpiper is still seen in apparently as large numbers 

 as formerly. It may be looked for about any small pond or 

 stream, though most abundant on the sloughs and mud flats in 

 the Missouri River flood plain. 



Pelidna alpina sakhalina (Vieillot). Red-backed Sandpiper. 

 Rare migrant. 



A flock of fifteen Red-backed Sandpipers were closely watched 

 on the mud flat at the mouth of the Blue on May 16, 1914. There 

 are records of its occurrence here during four other years when 

 specimens were taken. 



The characteristic field mark of this bird in spring is the black 

 belly. The student must not be led astray when he has under 

 observation small shore birds of other species that have waded 

 out in soft mud and stained the under parts. 



Bebunetes pusillus (Linn.). Semipalmated Sandpiper. 

 Very common migrant. 



The migration dates for the Semipalmated Sandpiper are 

 about the same as for the Least Sandpiper. These two species 

 are among the commonest shore birds and occur in about equal 

 abundance. They are found along the river sometimes in im- 

 mense flocks and are often accompanied by other small sand- 

 pipers and Semipalmated Plovers. 



While feeding these flocks may be easily approached and 

 studied at close range, as they are not so wild as the larger shore 

 birds which are more often disturbed by gunners. 



Ereunetes MAURI Cabanis. Western Sandpiper. 

 Occasional migrant. 



Several specimens of this sandpiper have been taken in this 

 part of the country, both to the east and west, but not in this 

 immediate neighborhood. It has been identified two or three 



