138 
Commonly seen with the Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers on 
muddy rather than sandy shores. 
241. Baird’s Sandpiper. Pisobia bairdi. L, 7-40. A small Sandpiper somewhat 
similar to a large Least Sandpiper (Plate XVII B). Below, white; above, brown, varie- 
gated with feather edges of shades of buff, rusty, and white. A suffused band of pale buff 
across breast, softly streaked with darker. 
Distinctions. The buff breast band is suggestive of the Pectoral Sandpiper, but it is 
never so extensive nor so sharply defined and the striping is always soft and obscure. In 
some conditions of plumage it may look like the White-rumped Sandpiper, but the black 
instead of white rump will separate it easily. 
Field Marks. In life, like a large Least or Semipalmated Sandpiper, but with a buffy 
breast suffusion and a scaly rather than striped appearance on the back. It commonly 
accompanies flocks of “Peeps.” Often in life like a Buff-breasted Sandpiper owing to 
white underparts being in shadow, but with black instead of dull yellow legs and with a 
whitish chin. 
Distribution. North and South America. Breeding in western Arctics. Migrates 
along both coasts and through the interior. 
Peeps 
“Peeps” is a colloquial, collective name applied to the smallest species 
of Sandpipers. They do not form a systematic group but are similar 
enough in habit and general appearance to be popularly grouped together. 
Characteristic bills of Peeps; 
natural size. 
They are minute Shore Birds, not larger than small Sparrows. They come 
in immense flocks and cover the mud-flats and sand-bars with a dense, busy 
crowd, weaving complicated patterns of delicate footprints in the soft 
mud. They follow a retreating wave to garner the roughly tumbled 
insect life in the undertow, and glide back in calm haste, just ahead of the 
next inundation. They take advantage of every ebb and flow, and though 
not unduly hurried never overstay their opportunity, but judge each mo- 
Note. These bill sizes are not by any means infallible. There is considerable 
individual variation and occasional Semipalmated, or even Western, Sandpipers may have 
bills smaller than some Leasts. In life it is claimed that the bills of the Least and Western 
are appreciably decurved, but that of the Semipalmated is straight or slightly upturned. 
It takes careful observation to note this, however. 
