SNIPES AND SANDPIPERS. 31 



Yellowlegs. Totanus jlavipes. 



This snipe is a common migrant in the Mississippi Valley both 

 spring and fall, occurring often in large flocks. The birds pass north 

 on the way to their summer home on the Barren Grounds during 

 April and May, and return southward in July, August, and Septem- 

 ber. A few remain in the United States as late as November or on 

 the Gulf coast even through the winter, but the majority pass on to 

 South America. Only two records from Arkansas are at hand. One 

 bird was seen at Monticello April 13, 1909, by Miss Cavaness, and one 

 at Stuttgart May 14, 1910, by myself. 



Solitary Sandpiper. Helodromas solitarius. 



The solitary sandpiper occurs commonly in spring and fall, never 

 assembling in large flocks, but found singly or a few together around 

 the borders of lakes and streams or even small pools in the timber. 

 The first migrants arrive usually by the middle of April and about 

 May 1 the birds are numerous, some remaining until the middle of that 

 month. Very little is known about the breeding of this species, but 

 its range in summer is chiefly north of the United States. In fall it 

 returns during July, August, and September, and a few may remain 

 until late October before passing on to their winter home in South 

 America. It has been observed at Lake City (April 30), Blytheville 

 (May 3), and Delight (May 5, August 25). 



Western Willet. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus. 



This large snipe, or u tattler," breeds on the coast of Texas and 

 Louisiana and from northern Iowa northward and westward, and 

 winters on the Gulf coast and in Mexico. It is considered rare in 

 Missouri (Widmann), and the only record from Arkansas is one fur- 

 nished by Dr. D. A. Richardson, who reported a small flock seen at 

 Osceola March 29, 1886. 



Upland Plover. Bartramia longicauda. 



This famous game bird — the "papabotte" of the Southern States — 

 was formerly very abundant in migration on the prairies of the Missis- 

 sippi Valley, but the terrible slaughter to which it is subjected every 

 spring, especially in Louisiana and Texas, has greatly diminished its 

 numbers. 



The species still occurs in moderate numbers on its northward 

 passage during March and April and again as it moves south in July, 

 August, and September. It breeds from Oklahoma and Missouri 

 northward to Alaska. Mrs. Stephenson records this bird as a rare 

 migrant at Helena, and Mr. Savage reports one seen at Delight 

 August 31, these being the only records from the State. The upland 

 plover is mainly insectivorous in its diet and is especially fond of 

 weevils, grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets. During migration it 



