242 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 



11. Least Sandpiper (242. Tringa minutilla.) — A common, 

 very small, mottled, brownisli-backed sandpiper, with the 

 under parts from bill to tail white, streaked with black on 

 the breast. The toes without webbing distinguish this species 

 from No. 14, with which it often associates along our shores 

 and beaches. This species can be seen also on grassy meadows. 

 (Meadow Oxeye ; Peep.) 



Length, 6 ; wing, 3| (3J-3|) ; tail, 1}; tarsus, f ; culmen, |. America ; 

 breeding north of the United States, and wintering from tlie Gulf States 

 to South America. 



12. Red-backed Sandpiper (243^ Tringa alplna paclfica). — A 

 brownish-red-backed, black-bellied sandpiper, with a spotted 

 buff breast and a long bill which is decurved near the tip. In 

 winter it lacks the black patch on the belly and has usually 

 an ash-gray back, a pale gray, somewhat streaked breast, and 

 a white belly. This fearless little snipe is found mainly on 

 beaches and mud flats, though it occasionally visits grassy 

 meadows. (Black Breast, spring ; Winter Snipe, autumn.) 



Length, 8; wing, 4J (41,-5) ; tail, 2J-; tarsus, 1} ; culmen, 1|. North 

 America and eastern Asia; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering 

 in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. The Dunlin (243. Tringa alpina) 

 of the Old \yorld has been seen on Long Island. It is smaller and less 

 brightly colored. Wing, 4i-4|. 



13. Curlew Sandpiper (244. Tringa ferruginea). — A very 

 rare, European, rather long-billed, brick-red-colored sandpiper, 

 with black primaries and spotted white tail coverts. In win- 

 ter it is much grayer. The bill is decurved, curlew-like, from 

 end to end. 



Length, 7-9; wing, 4f (4|-5J) ; tarsus, IJ; culmen, IJ. Old World 

 in general ; occasional in eastern North America and Alaska. 



14. Semipalmated Sandpiper (246. Ereunites puslllus). — A 

 common, very small, short-billed, mottled, brownish-backed 

 sandpiper, with the under parts from chin to tail white, 

 streaked or spotted with black on the breast. The toes have 

 plain webbing at the base. In winter, this bird is more ashy. 

 This species, in habits, form, size, and color, appears like 



