234 
PR2EC0CIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOLAl. 
and habits they closely resembled the European Dunlin, flying in a body, suddenly 
wheeling round, displaying alternately their light under-parts and dark backs, and 
usually raising their wings over their backs before alighting, which they all do at the 
same moment. 
Mr. Boardman informs me that this species is quite common, both in the spring and 
in the fall, near Calais, where it is seen in company with the Common Snipe, and where 
it feeds exclusively on the fresli-water marshes and in the uplands. It is distin- 
guished from the Common Snipe by the name of the Jack Snipe. In Massachusetts 
this is one of the earliest of the migratory Waders, appearing about the middle of 
July. It is also one of the last to leave, as its migrations continue longer than those 
of any other bird, or until the middle or the end of October. If it appears at all in 
its spring migrations, it passes north rapidly, or goes through in the night, and its 
passage has not been noted. Major Wedderburn speaks of it as more numerous 
in Bermuda than Bonaparte’s Sandpiper. It was not noticed prior to Sept. 20, 1847, 
on which day two of them were taken. After this the birds became common in all 
the swampy ponds and bays. On the 9tli of October, 1849, they appeared all at once 
in thousands, particularly at St. George, after a heavy gale of wind. The parade- 
ground at that place was swarming with them, and one of the officers killed between 
four and five hundred before breakfast. With the exception of a few stragglers, all 
were gone by the following day. 
According to Mr. Moore, .this bird occurs in Florida, but only in the early winter. 
Mr. Dresser noted the appearance of the Pectoral Sandpiper near Matamoras in 
July, 1863. It was not frequenting the salt-water lagoons, but was oftener found on 
the banks of the Bio Grande, or near small pools after a rain. In April, 1864, he 
observed several small flocks of four or five about the water-holes near San Antonio, 
and in May he shot three at Howard’s Bauch on the Medina Biver. 
In some seasons, according to Giraud, this species is quite plentiful on the shores 
of Long Island. It appears generally to have been overlooked by the hunters. In 
the spring it is not seen there in large numbers, but it apparently hastens on to its 
breeding-places with but little pause. Returning to Long Island in August, it ap- 
pears in increased numbers on the necks of land in the immediate vicinity of tide- 
water, and is also found among the islands in the bay. Although large numbers are 
sometimes seen occupying the same feeding-grounds, it does not seem to be a social 
bird, but each one appears to be intent only on providing for its own comfort, and to 
be entirely regardless of its companions. In feeding, the flock scatters over the bare 
places which occur on the moist ground frequented by them, and when thus employed, 
they remain silent. They are by no means wary, and regard the approach of the 
hunter with indifference. On one occasion, when Mr. Giraud fell in with a large 
flock, he walked up to within a close shooting distance of the nearest one, appearing 
to be entirely unnoticed. Although there were upward of fifty in view, yet they 
were so widely distributed that it was impossible to get two of them in range ; nor 
could he effect this during a hunt, in the course of which he obtained twenty-one 
birds at as many different shots. At the report of the gun the survivors’ flew on a 
short distance, and resumed their previous occupation. During this repeated firing 
he did not observe a single individual pass beyond the limits of the meadow, which 
was only a few acres in extent. As this bird flies up when surprised, it presents 
a fair mark, and if allowed to proceed, flies steadily at a short distance above 
the ground. It feeds on various kinds of minute insects, and also on the small 
shellfish which lie near the surface, but at times may be seen boring with’ its bill to 
a greater depth. On dissection, particles of plants have been found in its stomach. 
