136 NESTS AND EGOS OF 



231. DOWITCHER. Macrorhamphus griseua (Gmel.) Geog. Dist— Eastera 

 North America. Breeding far northward. 



Known by several names, such as Red-breasted-Snipe, Gray Snipe, Brown-back, 

 and Gray-back; these are also applied to the Long-billed Dowitcher. This bird, 

 which greatly resembles the Common Snipe in structure and general appearance, 

 differs from it in habits. It is described as migrating in flocks, often of large size, 

 and as being so unsuspicious as to allow a near approach. Breeds in high Arctic 

 regions, in various places in Alaska, and is spoken of by Dr. Richardson as having 

 an extensive breeding range throughout the fur country, from the borders of Lake 

 Superior to the Arctic Ocean. In the Arctic Regions nests have been taken between 

 the middle of June and the first part of July. They were placed on the marshy 

 borders of small lakes and ponds, and were made of a few dry leaves and grasses. 

 The eggs were usually four in number. These cannot, witn certainty, be distin- 

 guished from those of Wilson's Snipe. They are generally long, narrow, and pointed 

 in shape; sizes from 1.62 to 1.75 long by 1.10 to 1.15 broad. 



232. LOI^'G-BILLED DOWITCHER. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say.) Geog. 

 Dist. — Mississippi Valley and Western North America from Mexico to Alaska. 



This bird, whose size is larger and bill longer than that of the last, inhabits 

 North Amerrca at large, but is supposed to be rare on the Atlantic coast. It is called 

 Greater Long-beak, Greater Gray-beak and Re^--bellied Snipe. Breeds in the far 

 north; is said to be common about the mouth of the Yukon and islands along the 

 coast of Alaska. In the West the birds gather in dense flocks, and they being of a 

 gentle and confiding disposition, and so closely huddled together, that great 

 slaughter may be effected by the gunner if so Oisposed. Eggs larger and nesting 

 same as the last. 



233. STILT SANDPIPER. Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.) Geog. Dist. 

 Eastern Province of North America, breeding north of the United States; migrating 

 south in winter to tropical regions. 



The Long-legged Sandpiper, of slender form and very long legs, breeds north of 

 the United States, and visits Southern localities in winter; Bermudas, West Indies, 

 Central and South America. : MacFarlane found this species breeding at Rendezvous 

 Lake, in the Arctic regions, June 27. The nests were similar to all others of this 

 family, a mere, depression in the ground, with a lining of a few leaves and grasses. 

 The eggs are three or four in number, pyriform in shape, with a ground color of 

 light drab or grayish-white, with bold spots and markings of cbestnut-brown and 

 purplish-gray, more numerous about the larger end; in some quite confluent. Sizes 

 vary from 1.43 to 1.46 long by 1.40 to 1.1.0 broad. 



234. KNOT. TrUiija caiintus Linn. Geog. Dist. — Nearly cosmopolitan; breed- 

 ing in high northern latitudes. Migrates far southward. 



This handsome species, so remarkable for its seasonable differences of plumage, 

 is the largest of the North American Sandpipers. It inhabits most parts of the g;lobe; 

 in America chiefly coastwise, and breeds in high latitudes. It is migratory, and is 

 also found in the interior about large bodies of water and rivers. Red-breasted and 

 Ash-colored Sandpiper and Gray-back are other names for it. Elliot in his "North 

 American Shore Birds" gives other names by which this bird is known: Red Sand- 

 piper, Gray Back, May Bird, Robin Snipe, White Robin Snipe, White-bellied Snipe; 

 Silver Back, Red-breast Plover, Buff-breast Plover, Buff-breast, Blue Plover, Beach 

 Robin, Robin-breast and Horse-foot Snipe. At Point Barrow, Alaska, it was rather 



