142 



NESTS AND EGGS OF 



247. ■WESTERN' SANDPIPEB. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. Geog. Dist. — 

 Western North America; occasionally eastward to the Atlantic coast; breeding far 

 north. Migrating in winter to Central and South America. 



Very much like the last species and there is essentially no difference in its gen- 

 eral habits, nesting, eggs and other peculiarities. Abundant in Alaska, breeding 

 along the Yukon and the shores and Islands of Norton Sound. Nests commonly' on 

 the Island of St. Michael's, depositing four eggs in nests, which are mere hollows 

 in the ground with a few blades of grass for lining. In June and July it breeds 

 abundantly on the islands in the bays along the Arctic coast and also in the Barren 

 Lands. The eggs exhibit as great variation as those of E. pusillus. Nelson describes 

 their ground color as pale clay, shading toward pale brownish-clay. In many in- 

 stances, usually among the larger eggs, the ground color is nearly or quite con- 

 cealed by fine, light reddish-brown spots or specks. The other extreme has the spots 

 gathered mainly about the large end in irregular spots of rich chocolate and umber- 

 brown in small spots, a little more dense at the larger end. Sizes vary from 1.30x.92 

 to l.llx.82. 



, 248. SANDEELIITG. Calidris arenaria (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Nearly cosmo- 

 politan, breeding in high Arctic regions. 







248. Sandehling (From Brebm). 



The Sanderling, Ruddy "Plover" or "Beach Bird," is a species of wide distribu- 

 tion. During the breeding season it is distributed through the northern regions of 

 Europe, Asia and North America. It inhabits, however, the entire continent of 

 North America, wandering in its migrations through the United States, and in 

 winter to the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America. Its nests and eggs 



