115 



peculiarity of nidification ; the nest, only a slight depression of the ground, lined with a little 

 grass or a few leaves. Most of the sets consist of four eggs." 



I am indebted to Professor Baird for two eggs of the present species from the Anderson river, 

 which agree with the varieties last described by Dr. Coues. 



The nearest ally of the present species appears certainly to be that described by Peale under 

 the name of Tringa parvirostris. 



Respecting this species Dr. E. Coues writes to me as follows : — " This bird Gray refers to 

 T. cancellata of Gmelin ; Schlegel considers it as possibly the same as T. rufescens. While it 

 may be the same as T. cancellata, it is altogether specifically distinct from T. rufescens, perhaps 

 separable subgenerically. I determine this upon examination of Peale's types now in the Smith- 

 sonian. With a certain general resemblance to T. rufescens it lacks the peculiar mottling of the 

 primaries, which is such a strong feature in T. rufescens, has a transversely barred tail, different 

 proportions of wings and tail, and a differently shaped bill, which lacks the prolongation of the 

 feathers of the under mandible, and is shorter and more slender." 



The specimen figured is an adult bird in my own collection, shot by myself at Matamoras". 

 in Mexico. 



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



E Mus. E. E. Dresser. 



a, b, cj , c, 2 ■ Matamoras, Mexico, August 21st, 1863 (H. E. D.). d,juv. Laredo, Rio Grande del Norte 

 (Dr. H. B. Butcher). 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 



a. Great Slave Lake, Arctic America, June 1st, 1863 (L. Clarke), b, <3 . Matamoras, Mexico, August 21st, 

 1863 (H. E. Dresser), c. Xeberos, E. Peru, October 1866 (E. Bartlett). cl, 3. Pebas, E. Peru, August 

 3rd, 1866 (J. Hauxwell). e. Bogota. 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 

 a,juv. Bermuda, November 1848 (H. B. T.). b. Amazon river (Bartlett). 



4c 



