13 



Turtle Mountain, in company with T. minutilla. It is a very abundant bird in summer in 

 Labrador, where it frequents low muddy flats laid bare by the tide, and the salt marshes 

 adjoining. When they arise from the grass to alight again at a little distance, they fly in 

 silence or with a single tweet, holding the wings deeply incurved ; but when suddenly startled 

 and much alarmed, they spring quickly, with loud, repeated cries, and make off in a zigzag, 

 much like the common Snipe. Sometimes, gaining a considerable elevation, they circle for 

 several minutes in silence overhead, flying with great velocity, perhaps to pitch down again 

 nearly perpendicularly to the same spot they sprang from. The southward migration begins in 

 August, and is usually completed by the following month." 



This Sandpiper, like its allies, feeds chiefly on small aquatic insects, and, when it frequents 

 the sea-shore, on sea-weed. Nuttall says that it feeds on " small coleoptera, larvse, and the 

 common green Ulva latissima, as well as some species of Fucus, or sea-weed, on which they 

 become very fat. They utter a low plaintive whistle when started, very similar to that of some 

 other species. Like the Snipe they seem fond of damp meadows and marshes." 



As regards the breeding-habits of this bird I have been unable to obtain any reliable infor- 

 mation, nor have I ever seen any authentic eggs. 



The specimen figured is an adult male, in full spring dress, shot by myself in Texas. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a,6,b, <3. Washington, D.C., September 23rd, 1859 (Dr. E. Coues). c, ?. Wisconsin, May 28th, 1871 

 (Dr. Brewer) . d. Pennsylvania. e, 6 , f, $ . Howard's Rancho, Medina, Texas, May 2nd, 1864 

 (H. E.D.). 



E Mus. Salvin et Godman. 



a. Washington, D. C. (Drexler). b, ?. Duenas, Guatemala, August 12th, 1858. c, £. September 2nd, 1869 

 (0. Salvin). d. Lion Hill, Panama (M'Leannan) . e, ? . Pampas Argentinas, 1875 (Lei/bold), f. Santa 

 Catbarina, Brazil (Rogers), g, 6. Cosnipata Valley, E. Peru, October 19th, 1868 (H. Whitely). h. Chili 

 (Reed), i. Tilotilo, Prov. Yungas, Bolivia, 1876 (C. Buckley). 



Sx 



