SANDPIPERS 99 



larvae, small moUusks, and the larvae of cutworms found in 

 marshes. 



PECTORAL SANDPIPER: Pisobia macidata (Vieillot). 



State records. — The pectoral sandpiper, known in Louisiana 

 as the "cherook" and on the Atlantic coast as "grass snipe" 

 or "krieker," is a fairly common migrant in Alabama, both 

 in spring and fall. Dr. Avery's note books record his observa- 

 tion at Greensboro on March 20, 1893, of a flock of 20, and on 

 March 27, of "a large flock." Others were seen there by him 

 April 8 and 24, 1888, and two specimens in his collection were 

 taken March 25 and April 15, 1893. On Dauphin Island, 

 September 21, 1892, he collected 3 specimens. At Leighton, 

 McCormack took single specimens July 24 and 26, 1892. In 

 Mobile Bay, May 12, 1911, 1 saw one bird flying over a marshy 

 island. Golsan and Holt record 4 specimens taken at Bara- 

 chias, March 30, 1913.J 



General habits. — This sandpiper frequents wet, short-grass 

 marshes rather than beaches or mud flats. Although some- 

 times flying in flocks, the birds usually scatter out over the 

 marsh to feed and flush a few at a time after the manner of 

 the Wilson snipe. As they fly they utter a guttural, creaking 

 note which has given them in some localities the name 

 "krieker." 



Food habits. — The food of this species, according to Por- 

 bush, consists of crickets, grasshoppers, ground-dwelling 

 larvae, earthworms, snails, shellfish, and vegetable matter.* 



WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: Pisobia fusdcoUia 



(VieiUot). 



State records. — The white-rumped sandpiper is appai-ently 

 an uncommon migrant in the State, having been taken only 

 twice, at Greensboro, by Dr. Avery. He records 2 specimens 

 taken May 26, 1888,t and his collection contains also 4 speci- 

 mens taken May 30, 1891. The species is common on the 



tThe Auk, vol. SI. p. 219. 1914. 



'Forbnsh. E. H., Game birda, wild-fowl, and shore birds, pp. 273, 274, 1912. 



tAvery, W. C, Amer. Field, vol. 84, p. B84, 1890. 



