502 THE LONG-BILIvED DOWITCHER. 



ners. The flying birds give out a peculiar slirill whistle, which is easily 

 imitated by the sportsman concealed behind his decoys. The birds are easily 

 deceived by anything resembling a wader, since they mingle freely with 

 other species at all times, and the stupid wooden things deploy^ed upon the 

 sand are eagerly hailed and received into prompt fellowship, as the compact 

 mass of Dowitchers settles tO' its fate. The wooden snipe are guiltless, but 

 their immobilrty tempts the shattered flock to return, when it has recovered 

 from the first murderous discharge, and few escape to tell the story. 



If, however, a flock contains a few "wise" birds, they may alight at 

 some distance from the ambuscade, chattering softly as they come up, but 

 motionless and silent as they stand huddled together, until their fears are 

 allayed, and they feel safe tO' scatter for food. The Dowitcher swims 

 readily, assisted as it is by a slight webbing of the toes ; and it bobs its head 

 with a peculiar compensating motion for every stroke. When wounded, 

 it may escape by swimming or by skillful hiding in the grass. 



The Dowitchers pass north rapidly in spring, as those who have im- 

 portant business in hand; but they reappear with their young in July or 

 August, and pursue a liesurely southward course, being found in latitudes 

 corresponding to ours until cold weather sets in. 



No. 238. 



LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. 



A. O. U. No. 232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). 



Synonyms. — Western Dowitcher; Red-beli^iEd Snipe. 



Description. — Adult in summer: Similar to preceding species but somewhat 

 larger, and with longer bill ; pale cinnamon-rufous of under parts more extensive ; 

 more heavily barred with blackish on sides. Adult in zvinter : Indistinguishable 

 from M. griseusj except by larger size. Length 11. 00- 12. 50 (279.4-317.5) ; wing 

 S.72 (145-3) ; tail 2.20 (55.9) ; bill 2.72 (69.1) ; tarsus 1.53 (38.9). 



Recognition Marks. — Robin to Kingfisher size; as in preceding species, but 

 bird larger and with longer bill. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, on the ground. Eggs, 4, like 

 those of preceding species. Av. size, 1.74 x 1.21 (44.2 x 30.8) (Ridgw.). 



General Range. — Western North America, breeding in Alaska to the Arctic 

 Coast; migrating south in winter through the western United States (including 

 Mississippi Valley) to Mexico and, less commonly, along the Atlantic Coast. 



Range in Ohio. — Rare or casual during migrations. 



THIS larger form is normally confined to the western United States, 

 but finds its way irregularly eastward to the Atlantic Coast during migra- 



