DOWITCHER (Macrorhamphus griseus 

 griseus). Dowitchers are divided into two 

 races: the present, which is the eastern form, 

 and the Long-billed Dowitcher, which is 

 supposed to be chiefly western. The former 

 probably breeds in northern Ungava and 

 Arctic islands and migrates chiefly along 

 the Atlantic coast; the latter breeds along 

 the Arctic coast west of Hudson Bay and 

 migrates through the western part of Mis- 

 sissippi Valley, both wintering from the Gulf 

 States to South America. Since the dis- 

 tinction is dependent wholly upon size and 

 length of bills, and these features among 

 shore birds are always very variable, they 

 may well be considered as one variety, as in 

 aU probability they are. 



Like most of the sandpipers a great differ- 

 ence exists between the summer and winter 

 plumages, the latter being composed only of 

 grays and whites, as shown by the small 

 bird in the upper background. Although 

 very small, only a trifle more than lo in. in 

 length, they are shot in great quantities; 

 while quite wary, they very readily decoy 

 and consequently are very easy to secure. 

 They are known by a great variety of names, 

 most common of which are "Red-breasted 

 Snipe," "Robin Snipe," "Brown Snipe," 

 " German Snipe " and " Gray-back," some 

 referring to the summer and some to the 

 winter plumages. They are quite gregarious and are usually seen in large 

 flocks during migrations, though sometimes a few mix with flocks of other 

 species. 



STILT SANDPIPER {Micropalama himantopus) . These are among the 

 least often seen of the smaller shore birds and are most frequently observed 

 in with flocks of smaller kinds. They themselves are tiny, measuring less 

 than 9 in. in length and are consequently not often shot ; yet they are yearly 

 becoming scarcer and apparently will soon not be found at all. Several years 

 ago I used to see flocks of from ten to fifty individuals, but the last few years 

 I have seen only one or two Stilt Sandpipers in with flocks of the smaller 

 Least and Semi-palmated varieties. They are not in the least timid and 

 allow anyone to approach within a few feet of them. 



DOWITCHER 

 STILT SANDPIPER 



31 



