258 THE GAME BIEDS AND WILD EOWL 



Genus HETEROPYQIA, or Pectoral Sandpipers. 



Type, HETBEOPYGIA FUSCICOLLIS. 



Heteropygia, of Coues (1861). — The birds comprising the present genus 

 are characterised by having the culmen and metatarsus equal in length, but the 

 latter longer than the middle toe and claw combined, and also by having a hind 

 toe. The wings are long and pointed. The nostrils are lateral, and situated in 

 a groove. The tibia just above the metatarsal joint is devoid of feathers. 



This genus (omitting H. Cooperi, a doubtful species) is composed of four 

 species, three of which are confined to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, two 

 of them migrating north and south from a range base in the Primogsean realm ; 

 and one distributed over the eastern Palsearctic, Oriental and Australian regions, 

 according to season. Three species are abnormal migrants to the British Islands. 



The Pectoral Sandpipers closely resemble allied species in their habits, migra- 

 tions and nidification. In summer they frequent tundras to breed, often at no great 

 distance from the sea ; on passage, and during winter they are dwellers on coasts. 

 They are social and gregarious, especially during the non-breeding season. They 

 feed upon insects, worms, crustaceans, mollusks, ground fruits, etc. They are 

 monogamous, making a slight nest upon the ground, and their double-spotted eggs 

 are four in number. 



