MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
183 
17. Calidris leucophaea. Sanderling. — The sanderling is also an early 
fall migrant at the islands. A flock of thirteen came to Charity Island on 
July 19. The birds in this flock seemed to be all or nearly all adults, 
partly in spring plumage. The next day this flock passed on and no more 
were seen until July 25, when four immature birds were seen, and a few 
were present during the rest of our stay. 
18. Helodromas solitarius solitarius. Solitary Sandpiper. — This bird is 
one of the earliest migrants at the islands. The writer saw two on the 
west side of Charity Island on July 10, and after this date it was seen during 
our stay. 
19. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — The spotted sandpiper is 
a very common breeder on Charity Island. In 1911 it bred principally 
in a colony in the clearing about the light-house, more particularly toward 
Light-House Point, where a sparse growth of beach grass slightly concealed 
the nests. The writer found one nest only fifty feet north of the light- 
house, and ten nests were found among the small willows which occupied 
the low sand dune between the light-house and the point (Fig- '4). 
On our arrival, July 5, the young were hatched and were in hiding among 
the grass and willows near the beaches. When closely approached they 
would lie motionless on the sand, and the adult bird would fly about over- 
head, often alighting on the low branches of the oak trees. As the young 
became able to visit the beaches the writer every day saw dozens leave 
the cover where they hid, and, when it was cpiiet, run to the edge of the 
water and pick up the mayflies that drifted in on the waves. Most of the 
food was gleaned at the edge of the water. The writer estimated that 
fifty pairs of birds nested on Charity Island, and there were no doubt many 
others on Little Charity. This is one of the few species that was seen every 
day in 1910 and 1911. In 1910 it remained until Sept. 28. 
20. Squatarola squatarola. Black-bellied Plover. — In his former paper 8 
the writer recorded the statement of the keepers that this species had not 
been noted during the spring migration. In May, 1911. they saw a small 
flock in full breeding plumage on Charity Island, and these birds did not 
leave until after June 1. The species is no doubt a more or less regular 
spring migrant. 
21. Oxyechus vociferus. Ixilldeer. — A single pair of this species nested 
on Charity Island. This is the first time during the thirty years that 
Captain McDonald has occupied the island that he has observed it as a 
breeder. The nest contained, four eggs and w r as placed in the light-house 
clearing, among the loose gravel stones near the dock and only thirty feet 
from where the keepers passed many times every day. The old bird was 
never seen on the nest, but three of the eggs hatched on July 4 and the 
last one on July 5. On the latter date the first three to hatch had left the 
nest but were not far away as shown by the action of the adults. As the 
young became older they were seen along the beaches, where they seemed 
to find all of their food, and by July 30 they were nearly feathered and 
were able to fly. In 1910 this species was not seen until Aug. 25 and was 
one of the rarest waders. 
22. Aegialitis semipalmata. Semipalmated Plover. — An adult female 
was seen on the point near the Charity Island Light-House, on July 25, in 
company with four semipalmated sandpipers. After this date from two 
to five, all apparently adult birds, were seen daily during our stay on the 
s The Results of the Mershon Expedition to the Charity Islands, Lake Huron: Birds. Wilson 
Bulletin, 1911, p. 91. 
