62 



SPOTTED SANDPIPER 



down the river, but making a long circuitous sweep, stretching a 

 great way out, and gradually bending in again to the shore. 



These birds are found occasionally along the sea marshes, as 

 well as in the interior; and also breed in the corn fields there, 

 frequenting the shore in search of food; but rarely associating with 

 the other Tringse. About the middle of October they leave us 

 on their way to the south, and do not, to my knowledge, winter 

 in any of the Atlantic states. 



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. The following particulars, with the figure, 

 will enable Europeans to determine this matter to their satisfaction. 



Length of the Spotted Sandpiper seven inches and a half, ex- 

 tent thirteen inches; bill an inch long, straight, the tip and upper 

 mandible dusky, lower orange; stripe over the eye and lower eye- 

 lid pure white; whole upper parts a glossy olive, with greenish 

 reflections, each feather marked with waving spots of dark brown; 

 wing quills deep dusky; bastard wing bordered and tipped with 

 white; a spot of white on the middle of the inner vane of each 

 quill feather except the first; secondaries tipped with white; tail 

 rounded, the six middle feathers greenish olive, the other three on 

 each side white, barred with black; whole lower parts white, beau- 

 tifully marked with roundish spots of black, small and thick on 

 the throat and breast, larger and thinner as they descend to the 

 tail; legs a yellow clay color; claws black. 



The female is as thickly spotted below as the male; but the 

 young birds of both sexes are pure white below, without any spots; 

 they also want the orange on the bill. Those circumstances I 

 have verified on numerous individuals. 



