SC0L0PACID7E — THE SNIPE FAMILY — PELIDNA. 
243 
mage, the three specimens before us from Europe are decidedly lighter ash, and quite distinctly 
streaked above. A young bird from Hungary is much less distinctly spotted beneath than one 
from Alaska (the only American example in this plumage we are able to compare it with), but is 
otherwise very similar. The differences between the true P. alpina and the American race appear 
to be quite constant, being verified by all writers who have made actual comparison of specimens. 
Mr. J. E. Harting, who has made the Limicolai a special study, and who is therefore the best 
authority on this group of birds, gives his views regarding these representative forms as follows 
(cf. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 115) : — 
“ On comparing a specimen from New Jersey, in full summer plumage, with one which was 
shot off the nest in Benbecula (Hebrides), not only are the differences pointed out by Prof. Baird 
apparent, but it is also observable that the upper portions of the plumage in the American bird 
are considerably pervaded by bright rufous-brown, whereas in the same parts of the Scottish 
bird black is the prevailing color. Further, the black of the under parts, which in the Scottish 
bird extends (as in Squatarola Helvetica ) from the vent almost to the chin, is confined in the Ameri- 
can bird (as in Eudromias morincllus ) to the belly only. Whether this large race of Dunlin, known 
as Tringa americana, is specifically distinct or not, it is not confined to America, as is generally 
supposed. I have specimens in winter plumage now before me procured by Mr. Swinhoe at Amoy, 
and others in autumnal plumage shot by myself in this country, which, as regards measurements 
of bill, wing, and tarsus, correspond in every way with examples from New Jersey. They differ 
only in color, having been obtained at different seasons of the year. As far as I can judge by the 
data before me, the smaller bird appears to have a more restricted range, and remains to nest in 
this country ; while the larger bird does not breed with us, but is found on our coasts in spring 
and autumn, during the migration.” 
This form, so closely allied to the Common Dunlin or Purre of Europe, has a wide 
distribution over the continent of North America. It is found in high Arctic regions, 
and on the shores of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans. Mr. Dali states that it 
was seen frequently at St. Michael’s by Mr. Bannister, and in British Columbia by Mr. 
Elliott. A number of specimens were obtained at Sitka by Bischoff. Mr. Dali also 
met with it at Nulato, where it was not uncommon ; and it was also abundant at 
the mouth of the Yukon, where an example of its egg was obtained. Its nest is said 
to be like that of the Lobipes hyperboreus. Mr. B. Browne also includes it among 
the birds of Vancouver Island. Dr. Cooper is of opinion that it never goes farther 
on the Californian coast than San Francisco, as he has not met with it on the coast 
to the south of that place. This bird is, however, very common toward the north from 
October to May, frequenting chiefly the sandy bars about bays, but not going far into 
the interior. It is seen in very large docks, sometimes associating with the other 
small Sandpipers, from which it is not usually distinguished by hunters. 
The American Dunlin — the Cher-oo-me-nolc of the Esquimaux — is cited by Mr. E. 
Adams (“ Ibis,” 1878) as one of the birds observed by him on the shores of Norton 
Sound, where a few of this species frequented the salt-marsh together with docks of 
Actodromcis minutilla. They built their nests — which consisted merely of a few dry 
leaves scraped into a slight hollow — on the higher ground surrounding the marsh, 
and were very often hovering over them and singing a low twittering song. The 
eggs — four in number — are described as marked with large spots of three shades of 
brown upon a light olive-green ground, principally about the larger end. The small 
ends were always placed together in the nest, as is the case with all the Waders. 
The Dunlin is included by Reinhardt among the birds of Greenland, where the 
European species is known to have been taken ; and it may be to this that the Green- 
land examples belong. Professor Newton states that Dr. Paulsen more than once 
received this species from Greenland, both in the immature and in the autumnal plu- 
mage. It probably breeds there, as it is also known to do on Melville Peninsula 
