SCOLOPACIDiE — THE SNIPE FAMILY — ACTODROMAS. 
washed with light rufous or rusty ochraceous ; the feathers black centrally, producing conspicuous 
streaks, which widen into spots on the scapulars and back ; rump and middle upper tail-coverts 
brownish black ; lateral upper tail-coverts white, with dusky shaft-streaks. Middle tail-feathers 
dusky, edged with lighter ; other rectrices pale brownish gray, bordered with white. Wing-coverts 
light grayish brown, with paler borders and darker centres ; a light superciliary stripe, and a 
darker loral one. Cheeks, sides of the neck, whole jugulurn, and breast, pale clay-color or light 
grayish buff, streaked with dusky ; sides sparsely streaked. Remaining lower parts immaculate 
white. “Basal half of bill dull greenish yellow” (Nelson, MS.). Adult in winter : Similar to 
summer plumage, but the rusty tint above almost or wholly absent, and the black markings less 
sharply defined. Young, first ‘plumage : Quite similar to the summer adult, but the scapulars and 
outer interscapulars conspicuously tipped externally with white, the breast, etc., more distinctly 
buff, and rather more narrowly streaked. 
Total length, about 9.00 inches; wing, about 5.00; culmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1.00-1.10; middle 
toe, .90. 
The history of this bird is very imperfectly known. During its seasons of 
migration it is quite abundant, both on the sea-coast and in the interior, about the 
borders of ponds and the shores of lakes and rivers. As to its distribution during 
the breeding-season, we have no positive information. Solitary individuals have been 
observed by Mr. Kumlien about Lake Koskonong during the summer, and at first he 
supposed they were breeding ; but as no nests were found, it is supposed that these 
individuals were only unmated birds. This species has also been observed in the 
vicinity of Boston late in -July, in company with the minutilla ; but it is impossible 
to determine whether the birds thus seen were immature, or such as had thus early 
completed the duties of incubation. It is comparatively rare on the Pacific coast. A 
single specimen Avas collected at Sitka by Bischoff, and Dali speaks of it as not uncom- 
mon at Plover Bay, Siberia ; but it Avas not noticed by him on the Aleutian Islands. 
Dr. Cooper has met with none on the California coast, but states that they have been 
taken at Puget Sound ; and as they visit South America, he thinks that they must 
occasionally be found on the southern coast of California: but this is purely conjec- 
tural. It Avas taken at Fort Simpson by Mr. B. R. Ross, at Fort Anderson by Mr. 
MacFarlane, and at Fort Resolution by Mr. Kennicott. 
In the Avinter this bird visits the West Indies, Central America, Avliere it is very 
abundant, as Avell as various portions of South America. Mr. Salvin states that 
about the beginning of April, and toward the end of the dry season, a great portion 
of the stream is diverted from the River Guacalate and thrown on the open pasture- 
land near Duenas, in Guatemala. During this period large numbers of Scolopacidce 
frequent the inundated region; of these the present species of Wader is by far the 
most abundant. At this season, as it thus takes its food from fresh A\ r ater, it is excel- 
lent eating. Mr. Edward NeAvton speaks of having occasionally met with this bird, 
after September 14, at St. Croix, where he obtained several examples. He did not 
at any time see more than two of them together. Leotaud gives this species as one 
of the migratory visitants of Trinidad, whither it goes in August, remaining into 
October. It is always found in flocks, and frequents the Ioav meadows rather than 
the sea-shore. It is often seen to crouch on the ground, and is known on the island 
as the “ crouching shore-bird.” Not unfrequently, it is seen accompanying a number 
of the canutus, the latter seeming to act as its guides. 
Mr. N. B. Moore procured several examples of this species in the Bahamas as 
early as August 5. In South America its occurrence has been noted even as far 
south as Patagonia. Mr. H. Durnford (“ Ibis,” 1877) found it abundant in the Chupat 
Valley, where he saw large flocks of this bird about the salt lagoon to the north of 
the village, and also on the sandy flats at the mouth of the river. In their movement 
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