The Baird Sandpiper 



and scapulars rounded, with conspicuous, white terminal edging; the streaking of 

 breast, etc., less distinct. Length (av. of 8 Alaskan specimens): 192 (7.56); wing 

 119. 3 (4.70); tail 50.3 (1.98); bill 21.2 (.83); tarsus 22.7 (.89). 



Recognition Marks. — Sparrow size, but appearing larger; about the size of a 

 Spotted Sandpiper; dull fuscous and buffy coloration of upperparts; buffy breast 

 streaked with fuscous; upper tail-coverts not white. To the superficial glance a 

 smaller counterpart of P. maculata; streaking of chest a little less sharp; paler, less 

 rufescent, above. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in California. Nest: A slight hollow on dry tundra, 

 or sometimes partly hidden in overshadowing vegetation. Eggs: 3 or 4; ovate, 

 pointed; deep olive-buff, heavily and sometimes finely spotted with brownish black or 

 sepia. Av. size 32 x 21.6 (1.26 x .85); index 67.4. Season: June; one brood. 



General Range. — Breeds along Arctic Coast of America from Point Barrow to 

 Keewatin. Migrates to South America (as far as Chile) by way of Mexico. In the 

 United States passes chiefly between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River, 

 but also occurs irregularly upon both coasts and at scattered interior points. 



Occurrence in California. — Spring and fall migrant coastwise; of regular 

 occurrence at Santa Barbara, but apparently less observed elsewhere. One record from 

 the interior: Fish Springs (Imperial County) April 28, 1917. 



Authorities. — Sharpe (Heteropygia bairdi), Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiv., 

 1896, p. 570 (three spec, listed from "California"); Bowles and Howell, Condor, vol. 

 xiv., 1912, p. 8 (Santa Barbara; migr. dates); Wyman, Condor, vol. xxi., 1919, p. 172 

 (Los Angeles Co.). 



"ONE little sandpiper and I." It had been a tedious and profitless 

 day at Sandyland. Birds were scarce and ill-behaved, and the Graflex 

 had become very heavy. The beach dragged along in a birdless monotony 

 and the waves snickered and hissed upon the sloping sands in mocking 

 irony. There was nothing for it but to give it up as a bad job and hike 

 along barefoot to the patient, homebound automobile. But all at once a 

 Baird Sandpiper came winging down the wind, saw the birdman, hove to, 

 and settled amiably on the beach, some forty feet beyond. I am so mani- 

 festly the decoy bird that I determine to turn the piper's curiosity to 

 account. The bird is wary at first, but by patient persistence the photog- 

 rapher succeeds in gaining a point directly opposite, up the same slope, 

 and not over thirty feet away. The bird prefers to feed just below the 

 edge of the highest wave-wash, and is especially careful to inspect the 

 light row of freshly stranded kelp. It has a dislike of the wetter sand, and 

 as often as the wave itself comes too close, the bird either takes to wing 

 with a startled cry or else scampers up to the high sands. As it feeds it 

 follows the sinuosities of the wave-edge, and I endeavor to parallel its 

 course, with the camera ever trained. Gradually the distance narrows, 



"As up and down the beach we flit 

 One little sandpiper and I," 



1236 



