220 SCOLOPAClDiE : SNIPE, ETC. 



PECTORAL SANDPIPER; GRASS SNIPE; 

 JACK SNIPE. 



ACTODROMAS MACULATA (V.) CoueS. 



Chars. Form exactly as in A. minutilla; coloration much the 

 same ; size much larger ; length, 9.00-950 ; extent, 16.50-I8.00 ; 

 wing averaging 5.50 ; bill, tarsus, and middle toe with claw, each, 

 1. 10. Bill and feet dusky greenish. Crown streaked with 

 brownish-black and light chestnut, different from the neck 

 behind, which is streaked with dusky and hght ochrey. Upper 

 parts brownish-black, each feather edged with dusky or chestnut, 

 the latter brightest on the scapulars, not making indentations 

 toward the shaft. Rump and most upper tail-coverts blackish, 

 the internal ones white with dark spots. Primaries blackish, the 

 shaft of the first white, of the others brown. Under parts 

 white, the jugulum and fore breast with a heavy wash of ashy- 

 brown, and numerous dusky streaks. 



The Pectoral Sandpiper is a common migrant through 

 New England, especially in the autumn. It arrives 

 from the north in August, sometimes early in that 

 month and soon makes its way south, to return in April 

 or May. In habits it is rather Snipe-like than like 

 a Sandpiper, as it does not flock on the sandy beaches, 

 but rather frequents wet, grassy meadows, muddy pools 

 and flats, and the salt-marshes. It is, however, oftener 

 seen along the coast than inland. It is very abundant 

 in summer in Labrador, where it frequents low, muddy 

 flats, laid bare by the tide, and the salt-marshes adjoin- 

 ing. When they arise from the grass to alight agaSn at 

 a little distance, they fly in silence or with a single tweet, 

 holding the wings deeply incurved ; but when suddenly 

 startled and much alarmed, they spring quickly, with loud, 

 repeated cries, and make off in an irregular manner, much 



