THE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
47 
having already returned by the first of the month. We have 
known of at least two instances of this bird's nesting within 
the state, and from specimens seen in various parts of the 
north and central portions of the state, suspect that, at least 
twenty years ago, it bred in some numbers. Dr. Hoy, in 1852, 
called it common, and stated that it nested in the reedy 
marshes. Nelson also found it nesting on the Calumet 
marshes in northeasern Illinois in June, 1875. A breeding 
female, shot June 10, 1876, on Lake Koshkonong, and now 
in the Kumlien collection, has the entire back black, with 
merely a slight edging of rusty color on the tips of the inner 
tertiaries. It can hardy be called as plentiful in Wisconsin 
as the semipalmated sandpiper, and, contrary to the case with 
that bird, is more abundant on the interior lakes than on the 
shores of Lake Michigan. 
Triaga alaiaa aaciiioa (Coucs). RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. 
Very abundant migrant in May along the Rock River 
Valley, remaining some time in favorable localities. So plen- 
tiful are the red-backs at times that we saw, in May, 1899, 
fifty-three individuals killed by the discharge of a double- 
barreled shot gun, and the entire Mock of several hundred 
birds immediately alighted among their slaughtered compan- 
ions, so that the same performance could have been repeated. 
In the spring all are in full breeding plumage, but show an 
immense variation in the amount of black on the under parts. 
On its return in September and October it is much less 
common, except along Lake Michigan, and is then always in 
winter plumage. Such specimens as have been found in 
summer have always proved to be wounded birds. 
Ereaaetes aasillas (Linn.). SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 
This little sandpiper is quite abundant in southern Wis- 
consin during May and the first half of June, and so many are 
summer residents that one easily gets the impression that it 
nests. Evidence of breeding is, however, entirely lacking, 
although specimens shot on Lake Koshkonong June 16, 1897, 
contained ova the size of medium hazel nuts and were in full 
breeding plumage. The majority of the birds which remain all 
summer do not assume this dress, however. They begin to 
gather in considerable flocks, associated more or less with other 
species, by the middle of August, and remain until there has 
been a severe freeze. On Lake Michigan this species remains 
