ASII-COLORED SANDPIPER. 
351 
and elude the tumbling surf, while at the same time they seem wholly 
intent on collecting their food. 
The Ash-colored Sandpiper, the subject of our present account, 
inhabits both Europe and America. It has been seen in great numbers 
on the Seal Islands near Chatteaux Bay ; is said to continue the whole 
summer in Hudson's Bay, and breeds there. Mr. Pennant suspects 
that it also breeds in Denmark; and says that they appear in vast flocks 
on the Flintshire shores, during the winter season.* With us they are 
also migratory, being only seen in spring and autumn. They 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, tipped with white ; some of the primaries edged 
also with white ; tail plain pale ash, finely edged and tipped 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 Avhite, thinly speckled with blackish ; 
belly and vent pure Avhite ; legs a dirty yellowish clay color ; 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 color, some being considerably darker 
above, others entirely wbite below ; but, in all, the concentric semicircles 
on the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, are conspicuous. 
I think it probable that these birds become much lighter colored 
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 color. 
It was very thin and emaciated ; and on examination appeared to have 
been formerly wounded, which no doubt occasioned its remaining behind 
its companions. 
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. 
* Arct. Zool. p. 474. 
