248 allEn’s naturalist's LIHRAIiY. 
in spring, the presumption being tint the bird has remained 
here during the winter, having wandered from its home during 
the autumn migration, as so many of the waders do. Some 
twenty-five instances of its capture were recorded by Mr. 
Howard Saunders up to the year 1889. 
Eange outside the British Islands. — The Pectoral Sandpiper breeds 
in the tundras of North America, and migrates south in winter 
to South America, where it has been obtained even in Pata- 
gonia and Chili. It has not yet been noticed on the continent 
of Europe. 
Hahits. — Mr. Nelson gives the following account of the 
species in Alaska:— “The last of May, 1879, I pitched my 
tent in a lonely island in the Yukon delta and passed several 
weeks in almost continu.al physical discomfort owing to the 
cold rains and snow-storms which prevailed. However, I 
look back with pleasure upon the time passed here among the 
various water-fowl, when every day contributed new and strange 
experiences. 
“The night of May 24th I lay wrapped in my blanket, and 
from the raised flap of the tent looked out over as dreary a 
cloud-covered landscape as can be imagined. The silence 
was unbroken save by the tinkle and clinking of the disinte- 
grating ice in the river, and at intervals by the wild notes of 
some restless Loon, which arose in a hoarse, reverberating cry 
and died away in a strange gurgling sound. As my eye-lids 
began to droop and the scene to become indistinct, suddenly 
a low, hollow, booming note struck my ear and sent my 
thoughts back to a spring morning in Northern Illinois, and 
to the loud vibrating tones of the Prairie Chickens. Again the 
sound arose nearer and more distinct, and with an effort I 
brought myself back to the reality of my position and, resting 
upon one elbow, listened. A few seconds pjassed and again 
arose the note ; a moment later and, gun in hand, I stood out- 
side the tent. The open flat extended away on all sides, with 
apparently not a living creature near. Once again the note 
was repeated close by, and a glance revealed its author. Stand- 
ing in the thin grasses ten or fifteen yards from me, with its 
throat inflated until it was as large as the rest of the bird, was 
s, male Yl maculata. The succeeding days afforded oppor- 
