SANDPIPERS 101 



winter it gathers into large flocks, often associating with the 

 semipalmated and other species of sandpipers. It is rather 

 partial to marshes, but during migration is often found in 

 flooded fields. It secures its food from mud flats and the 

 margins of shallow pools, is gentle and confiding, and will 

 often allow an observer to approach within a rod or two before 

 taking flight. 



Food habits. — This species is known to feed on grasshop- 

 pers and on various smaller insects and their larvae, includ- 

 ing mosquitoes. Of the 18 stomachs of this bird collected in 

 Alabama, practically all contained larvae or pupae of small 

 flies (Chironomidae) ; in a few, bits of aquatic beetles were 

 found, 



RED-BACKED SANDPIPER: Pelidna cdpina pacifica 



(Coues). 



State records. — The red-backed sandpiper is a fairly com- 

 mon winter resident and an abundant migrant on the coast. 

 On Dauphin Island, it was fairly common on February 13, and 

 abundant March 22, 1912. On the latter date, about 50 were 

 seen, most of them in winter dress, but one taken was molting 

 and beginning to show black feathers on the breast; at the 

 same place. May 19, 1911, about 20 birds were seen, all in full 

 summer plumage. On Coffee Island, near Coden, November 

 12 and 23, 1915, about 8 were present in a large flock of semi- 

 palmated sandpipers; and at the same place, December 4, 

 1916, 4 were seen. 



General habits. — The red-backed sandpiper is considerably 

 larger than the least and semipalmated sandpipers, with both 

 of which species it often associates. In the spring plumage 

 it is known as "red-back" or "black-breast," and in winter 

 plumage as "lead-back," all of which names are descriptive of 

 its appearance. The striking difference in the two plumages 

 has led most hunters to regard them as representing distinct 

 species. The birds are found in flocks, often associated with 

 other sandpipers, frequenting mud flats and sandy beaches at 

 the edge of the water. 



