ASH-COLORED SANDPIPER. 351 



and elude the tumbling surf, -while at the same time they seem wholly 

 intent on collecting their food. 



The Ash-colored Sandpiper, the subject of our present account, 

 inhabits both Europe and America. It has been seen in great numbers 

 on the Seal Islands near Chatteaux Bay ; is said to continue the whole 

 summer in Hudson's Bay, and breeds there. Mr. Pennant suspects 

 that it also breeds in Denmark ; and says that they appear in vast flocks 

 on the Flintshire shores, during the winter season.* With us they are 

 also migratory, being only seen in spring and autumn. They are plump 

 birds ; and by those accustomed to the sedgy taste of this tribe, are 

 esteemed excellent eating. 



The length of this species is ten inches, extent twenty ; bill black, 

 straight, fluted to nearly its tip, and about an inch and a half long ; 

 upper parts brownish ash, each feather marked near the tip with a 

 narrow semicircle of dark brown, bounded by another of white ; tail- 

 coverts white, marbled with olive ; wing quills dusky, shafts white ; 

 greater coverts black, tipped with white ; some of the primaries edged 

 also with white ; tail plain pale ash, finely edged and tipped with white ; 

 crown and hind-head streaked with black, ash and white ; stripe over 

 the eye, cheeks and chin, white, the former marked with pale streaks 

 of dusky, the latter pure ; breast white, thinly speckled with blackish ; 

 belly and vent pure white ; legs a dirty yellowish clay color ; toes 

 bordered with a narrow thick warty membrane ; hind-toe directed 

 inwards, as in the Turn-stone ; claws and eye black. 



These birds vary a little in color, some being considerably darker 

 above, others entirely white below ; but, in all, the concentric semicircles 

 on the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, are conspicuous. 



I think it probable that these birds become much lighter colored 

 during the summer, from the circumstance of having shot one late in 

 the month of June, at Cape May, which was of a pale drab or dun color. 

 It was very thin and emaciated ; and on examination appeared to have 

 been formerly wounded, which no doubt occasioned its remaining behind 

 its companions. 



Early in December I examined the same coast every day for nearly 

 two weeks, without meeting with more than one solitary individual of 

 this species ; although in October they were abundant. How far to the 

 southward they extend their migrations, we have no facts that will 

 enable us to ascertain ; though it is probable that the shores of the West 

 India Islands afford them shelter and resources during our winter. 



* Arct. Zool. p. 474. 



