The Red-backed Sandpiper 



Taken near 

 Santa Barbara 



numerous Westerns (Ereunetes 

 mauri) with which it freely mingles. 

 Although considerably larger than 

 the Western, it also is called "Peep," 

 and it shares several characteristics 

 with its smaller kinsmen. For one 

 thing, they are all fond of a ride. 

 A floating log often proves an irre- 

 sistible temptation to a passing flock, 

 and they settle down upon it teeter- 

 ing and peeping lustily, as though it 

 were the greatest treat imaginable. 

 Even more ludicrous it is to see a 

 great company of Sandpipers to- 

 gether with a few solemn gulls seated 

 on the rear end of a moving log-boom. 

 The convoying tug puffs officiously, 

 while the water swirls away behind 

 in dizzying eddies. But there are a 

 hundred yards of stout cable and, it 

 may be, a two hundred yard stretch 

 of logs between the birds and the 

 boat; so these urchins gather fear- 

 lessly and snicker over their good 

 fortune in stealing a ride. A pas- 

 senger on a passing steamer, catching 

 the drollery of the thing, feels like 

 bawling out: "Hey, Mister! Cut 

 behind!" 



The Red-backs are to be found 

 upon the beaches and salt marshes 

 of Humboldt Bay, San Francisco Bay, and Suisun, and in many southern 

 localities at any time of year, save June and July, when they are at home 

 in western Alaska. They are, however, not common in winter, and the 

 migratory movement may be distinctly traced. The birds appear to ac- 

 quire the full nuptial dress before starting out upon the northward mi- 

 grations, but they not infrequently return in late summer before they have 

 had time to lay it off. This species also wanders extensively into the 

 interior, and stray birds may be picked up in almost any situation which 

 provides water. 



In feeding, the Red-backs usually maintain close order, and in flight 

 as well, so that hostile fire is very destructive to their ranks. One shot 



A SILHOUETTE 



RED-BACKED SANDPIPER IN FALL PLUMAGE 



1244 



