70 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



261. Upland Plover (Bartramia longkauda.) 



This Sandpiper is more terrestrial in habits than its rela- 

 tive and is a common summer resident over the western half of 

 South Dakota. Before the prairies were broken up it nested over 

 the entire State. When alighting it has the habit of gracefully- 

 extending the wings almost perpendicularly over its back. It 

 is about eleven and one half inches long, including a one and a 

 quarter inch bill. Above, nearly black, with feathers edged with 

 buff ; throat and belly white ; breast and sides marked with dusky 

 arrows. 



This bird deserves careful protection by everyone. Nine- 

 ty-seven per cent of its food consists of insects, and over one 

 half is made up of insects injurious to crops or stock, such as 

 grasshoppers, crickets, wire worms and cut worms, and larvae 

 of horseflies and cattle ticks. 



262. Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis.) 



A rare migrant in our State. Length about eight inches. 

 Above, black, the feathers margined with brown; below, buff 

 with black spots. 



263. Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia.) 



This cosmopolitan Sandpiper may be seen during the sum- 

 mer over most of North America. It inhabits the muddy banks 

 of ponds and streams, and is always seen alone. From its "teet- 

 ering" habit it is often called "Teeter." Seven and one half 

 inches long; brownish gray above, lightly barred with black; 

 under parts white with black spots. 



264. Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americftnus.) 



One of the largest of our "Snipes," measuring up to twen- 

 ty-four inches, including a bill varying in length from four and 

 one half to six and one quarter inches, curving downward. Back 

 and tail black, barred or blotched with buff; belly buff; breast 

 slightly streaked with grayish brown. Its habits are more ter- 

 restrial than most of the Shore Birds. 



Although not so abundant in South Dakota as in early 

 days it is frequently found nesting on the grassy plains west 

 of the Missouri River. 



