102 BIRDS OF ALABAMA 



Food habits. — The food of this species comprises small mol- 

 lusks, crustaceans, marine worms, fly larvae, aquatic beetles, 

 and occasionally seeds of water plants. 



SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER : Ereunetes ptmUus 

 (Linnaeus) . 



St<Ue records. — The semipalmated sandpiper is a common 

 migrant and winter resident on the coast, but is apparently 

 rather uncommon in the interior. At Bayou Labatre and on 

 Dauphin Island, May 15 to 19, 1911, it was abundant in scat- 

 tered flocks of 10 to 20 individuals. Large flocks of this 

 species and Ereunetes mauri were seen on Dauphin Island, 

 February 18, 1912, and small flocks June 1 to 5, 1914. In 

 November, 1915, the species was common all around the shores 

 of the Sound ; and on Coffee Island, near Coden, December 4, 

 1916, two flocks aggregating about 100 birds were seen on a 

 mud flat in the marsh, where they were feeding. McCormack 

 considers this bird rare at Leighton, having observed it only 

 twice — September 17, 1887, and July 23, 1889. Avery col- 

 lected specimens at Greensboro on May 26, 1888, and May 30. 

 1891; Golsan took one at Autaugaville, May 23, 1913; and 

 Brannon took several near Montgomery, September 20, 1919. 

 A single bird, apparently a cripple, was shot at Seale, May 22, 

 1914. 



General habits. — This little sandpiper, which closely resem- 

 bles the least sandpiper in size and general appearance, may 

 be distinguished by its partly webbed toes. It is by nature 

 gentle and unsuspicious, except in regions where it is perse- 

 cuted by gunners. It is a very sociable species, usually foimd 

 in flocks of considerable size and often associating with other 

 species of sandpipers. Its favorite feeding grounds are mud 

 flats exposed by the receding tide; but it visits the ocean 

 beaches as well. 



Food habits. — Two stomachs of this bird from Alabama 

 contained remains of small mollusks, fly larvae, and beetles. 

 The species is known to feed also on miarine v/orms and mos- 

 quitoes. 



