6785 



Birds. 



than the second. Tarsus, 4j-tenths of an inch. Wing from flexure 

 4f inches. 



Spotted Sandpiper {Tringa macularia). August. Found a small 

 flock of these birds on the sandy shores of Lake Ontario ; secured two. 

 Wilson remarks, " Mr. Pennant is of opinion that this same species is 

 found in Britain ; but neither his description nor that of Mr. Bewick 

 will apply correctly to this." As my specimens differ somewhat, both 

 in size and colour, from Wilson's, I shall endeavour to describe them 

 rather more fully than T should otherwise have done. The latter 

 author quotes an amusing anecdote with regard to this species : — " My 

 venerable friend Mr. W. Bartram informs me that he saw one of these 

 birds defend her young for a considerable time from the repeated 

 attacks of a ground squirrel." Though I do not wish to call in question 

 Mr. Bartram's statement, I am inclined to believe that the squirrel was 

 endeavouring to drive away the sandpiper, for it seems very impro- 

 bable that such a playful, nut-loving creature should so suddenly and 

 unaccountably be transformed into a savage carnivorous animal. My 

 two birds are so unlike, that I was inclined to believe they were 

 distinct species, but possibly the white-bellied one — though the larger 

 of the two — may be a young bird ; it measures 8 inches in length. 

 Extent of wings, 13j inches ; from flexure, 4j inches. Thigh, inch, 

 bare for half its length. Tarsus, 1 inch. Middle toe, 9-tenths of an 

 inch ; claw, 1 J- tenth ; hind toe, 2-tenths ; claw, f -tenth ; inner toe, 

 6-tenths ; claw, lj-tenth. Foot, webbed between middle and outer 

 toe to first joint. Bill, 1 inch along the ridge. Upper mandible, dark 

 horn -colour, except towards the point, which is black ; lower mandible 

 flesh -colour, all but the tip, which is dark brown. Head, and the 

 whole of the upper parts hair-brown, with a reddish tinge; feathers 

 dark on the shafts, tipped with rufous. Upper tail-coverts considerably 

 darker than the back, very elongated, reaching to within half an inch 

 of the extremity of the tail, which is considerably rounded, and has 

 twelve feathers ; centre ones longest ; first lateral feather white, barred 

 and spotted with black ; second, dark brown, spotted with yellow, 

 barred with black, and tipped with white ; third, marked the same ; 

 fourth, white at the tip, with some black and reddish brown spots ; 

 fifth is also dark brown, but the point is rufous, and there are spots of 

 the same, intermixed with black on the margins ; sixth, similarly 

 marked. Scapulars reach to within one inch of the extremity of the 

 tail, and are of a glossy hair-brown, spotted and barred on the outer webs 

 with black and pale yellow. Chin, throat and the whole of the under 

 parts, except the breast, whieh is tinged with brown, pure white ; the 



