334 



A SH- COLO URE D SA NDPIPER. 



are plump birds ; and, by those accustomed to the sedgy taste 

 of this tribe, are esteemed excellent eating. 



The length of this species is ten inches, extent twenty ; bill 

 black, straight, fluted to nearly its tip, and about an inch and 

 a half long ; upper parts, brownish ash, each feather marked 

 near the tip with a narrow semicircle of dark brown, bounded 

 by another of white ; tail-coverts, white, marbled with olive ; 

 wing-quills, dusky, shafts, white ; greater coverts, black, tipt 

 with white ; some of the primaries edged also with white ; 

 tail, plain pale ash, finely edged and tipt with white ; crown 

 and hind head, streaked with black, ash, and white ; stripe 

 over the eye, cheeks, and chin, white, the former marked with 

 pale streaks of dusky, the latter pure ; breast, white, thinly 

 specked with blackish ; belly -and vent, pure white ; legs, a 

 dirty yellowish clay colour ; toes, bordered with a narrow, thick, 

 warty membrane ; hind toe, directed inwards, as in the turn- 

 stone ; claws and eye, black. 



These birds vary a little in colour, some being considerably 

 darker above, others entirely white below ; but, in all, the con- 

 centric semicircles on the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, 

 are conspicuous. 



I think it probable that these birds become much lighter 

 coloured during the summer, from the circumstance of having: 

 shot one late in the month of June at Cape May, which was 

 of a pale drab or dun colour. It was very thin and emaciated ; 

 and on examination appeared to have been formerly wounded, 

 which no doubt occasioned its remaining behind its com- 

 panions. 



Early in December I examined the same coast every day 

 for nearly two weeks, without meeting with more than one 

 solitary individual of this species, although in October they 

 were abundant. How far to the southward they extend their 

 migrations, we have no facts that will enable us to ascertain, 

 though it is probable that the shores of the West India islands 

 afford them shelter and resources during- our winter. 



