THE SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 619 



Nestling. — (Not examined.) 



Juvenile. — Like Green Sandpiper but distinguished by same 

 characters as in adult winter and in addition has upper -parts 

 notched paler buff ; back and rump as adult but feathers notched 

 and edged light buff and sepia ; upper -breast suffused buff and 

 more narrowly streaked than in Green Sandpiper ; central tail- 

 feathers as adult but notched light buff ; wing as adult but inner- 

 most secondaries and coverts and median coverts as upper -parts. 



First winter. — As adult and only to be distinguished when buff 

 notches at sides and tip of innermost median coverts are not too 

 abraded. The body -feathers, not tail in those examined, some inner- 

 most secondaries and coverts, apparently some median and lesser 

 coverts are moulted in autumn but apparently not usually rest of 

 wings (one $ and one $ Dec. and Jan. with rectrices and remiges in 

 quill). First summer. — (Not examined.) 



Measurements and structure. — $ wing 126-133.5 mm., tail 46- 

 54, tarsus 26-30, bill from feathers 26-30.5 (12 measured). $ wing 

 130-138, bill 28-30. Primaries : 1st minute, 2nd longest, 3rd 2-4 

 mm. shorter, 4th 6-10 shorter, 5th 16-19 shorter, 6th 24-28 shorter". 

 Longest inner secondary between 4th and 7th primaries. Tail 

 slightly rounded, not square as in Green Sandpiper, but other 

 structure same. 



Soft parts. — Bill black-brown, green at base of lower mandible ; 

 legs dull green ; iris dark brown. 



Characters and allied forms. — T. s. cinnamomea (western N. 

 America) is said to be larger. Olive-brown back, rump and upper 

 tail-coverts distinguish this species from its near allies. 



Field -characters. — Under surfaces of wings appear blackish. 

 Spread tail, when about to alight, appears white, with a contrasting 

 dark centre. Frequents upland or woodland streams and pools, 

 also coastal marshes at times. Flight swift and darting ; when 

 alighting drops down abruptly like a Snipe (Gallinago). When 

 flying only a few yards has a peculiar jerky flight with wings partially 

 spread. Flight -note a sharp " peet-weet " or " peet-w T eet-weet," 

 very like that of Spotted Sandpiper, but sharper. (J. T. Nichols.) 



Breeding-habits. — Makes use of old nests of other birds in trees 

 in " muskegs " or wooded swamps. Nests of following species have 

 been occupied : Canada Jay, Cedar -Waxwing, King-Bird, American 

 Robin, Brewer's Blackbird, and Bronzed Grackle. Eggs. — Normally 

 4, rarely 5, pyriform, pale greenish in ground, blotched and spotted 

 chiefly at large end with vandyke -brown, chestnut and ashy -grey. 

 Average of 27 eggs, 35.7x25.4. Max.: 38.1 X26.1 and 37.3x26.6. 

 Min. : 33.7x23.8 mm. Breeding -season.- — In Alberta, June. In- 

 cubation. — No details. Probably single brooded. 



Food. — Insects and their larvae, including the smaller odonata. 

 Also small mollusca, worms, small Crustacea, spiders, and has been 

 known to take fry of fish (Sicydium). 



