204 
CHARADRIIFORMES 
Field Marks. In spring, red back, and black abdominal patch contrasting sharply 
with nearly white breast. In autumn, small size, moderately long (longer than head) and 
slightly decurved bill, and patternless light grey coloration above. 
Distribution. Eastern and western hemispheres. In America, across the Arctic, 
migrating down both coasts and through the interior. Common migrant in Manitoba, but 
authenticated records for Alberta and Saskatchewan are tew. Not reported from interior 
of British Columbia, but common on the coast. 
SUBSPECIES. The Red-backed Sandpiper or American Dunlin (le Bccasseau a 
dos roux) Pelidna alpina sakhalina, differs from the European race by its slightly larger 
size. It extends to the east Siberian coast. 
This species frequents sand-bars, mud-flats, or tide-meadows. It is 
among the latest shore birds to arrive both in spring and autumn. 
231. Dowitcher. rei>-breasted snipe. robin snipe. le becasseau roux. 
Limnodromus griseus. L, 10-50. Spring adult: throat, breast, and all underparts stiongly 
brick-red. Back and upperparts, dark brown with feather edges of various shades or 
Dowitcher; scale, £. 
Spring adult 
reddish ochre. Tail and rump finely barred with black and white. Tail feathers tinged 
with reddish at tip and dark bars disappearing on lower back. Autumn plumage— dull 
grey on back more or less interspersed with brown and ruddy ochre of summer plumage. 
Head, neck, breast, and flanks, lighter grey. Chin lighter than breast or face. Autumn adults 
oftenfshow the summer red-breasted plumage, but worn, faded, and interspersed with grey. 
Figure 294 
Bills of Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers; natural size. 
