SANDPIPERS 
205 
Distinctions. Because of great length of bill (2 15-3-0) to be mistaken only for 
Wilson’s Snipe. In spring, the red underparts make the Dowitcher unmistakable for that 
species, and in autumn the even grey breast, the lack of definite colour pattern on the back, 
and the pure white lower back barred with black on rump and tail are distinctive. In spring, 
the Knot has a similar red breast, but the bill is much shorter, scarcely over 1 * 50 (Compare 
Figure 294 with 283). 
In the autumn the Wandering Tattler (to be met with only on the west coast) has a 
grey appearance similar to the Dowitcher at that season, but is a clearer ashy grey; the 
bill is much shorter and the rump and tail are the same colour as the back. 
Field Marks. About the same size, general outline, and length of bill as Wilson’s 
Snipe, but with white lower back. Generally found on bare mud-flats where Wilson’s 
Snipe is seldom seen. Rarely seen in grassy meadows. 
Nesting. On the ground. 
Distribution. North and South America, breeding principally in the Arctic. Migrating 
along the coast and the interior, throughout Canada. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list recognizes two 
subspecies: the Short-billed Dowitcher (le B6casseau roux a bee court) Limnodromus 
griseus griseus , an Atlantic Coast race, and the Long-billed Dowitcher (le Bdcasseau roux 
a long bee) Limnodromus griseus scolopaceus, a western one. These races are differentiated 
mostly by the length of the bill (Figure 294), but the eastern race is recognized in migra- 
tion throughout the west. Specimens from the prairies to the Pacific coast show such a 
mixture of lull lengths that doubts are raised as to the existence of the two races. Birds 
breeding at the mouth of Yukon River, Alaska, are said to be of the Long-billed type. 
Colonies recently discovered nesting only some 60 miles northwest of Edmonton, Alberta, 
and on the west side of Hudson Bay are of the Short-billed group, but have recently been 
described as a third subspecies, the Interior Dowitcher (Le Becasseau roux des prairies) 
Limnodromus griseus hendersoni. 
233. Stilt Sandpiper, la MAunkcino a ech asses. Micropalama himantopus. 
L, S-25. A small sandpiper. Spring adult with brown markings on a ground of dull white 
and cream; underparts with regular and narrow bars that change to fine obscure stripings 
on foreneck and minute spotting on throat. 
A vague rufous band across nape and con- 
tinuing over eye, and another of same colour 
under eye and over ear (Figure 295). Rump, 
white, spotted with brown. Young autumn 
birds are entirely different, and so closely 
resemble several other species as to be 
difficult of separation by colour. Back, 
much like that of spring bird, brown with 
feather edges of ochre, cream, white, and 
rusty; incoming ashy grey winter plumage 
is likely to be intermixed and to predominate 
late in the season. Below, white, slightly 
tinged with tawny, which is most pronounced 
across breast with more or less striping. 
Head and neck a fine intermixture of ashy 
brown and dull white with little detail. The 
crown and a vague line tlirough eye are 
dark and the superciliary line and throat 
light. 
Distinctions. The spring bird with its 
heavily brown-barred underparts is very 
distinctive. The autumn bird is much like the Pectoral, White-rumped, Baird’s, or Red- 
backed Sandpipers, but from any of these it may be recognized by its long, yellow legs 
reaching nearly an inch or more beyond the tail, and the slight spatulate enlargement at 
the tip of the long bill, almost imperceptible, but very apparent to the touch (Figure 295). 
The rump may be almost pure wdiite and bear a close resemblance to the White-rumped. 
Field Marks. The regular and pronounced dark barring below is quite conspicuous 
in spring. When this detail cannot be seen, or in the autumn, the great length of leg 
furnishes the best field mark from all comparable waders, except the Lesser Yellow-legs 
which it may resemble in apparent size, length, and colour of legs, and white rump. It 
lias a longer bill than any other sandpiper of similar size and in feeding may plunge its 
whole head and neck under water. It does not tip or nod. 
Figure 295 
Stilt Sandpiper; scale, $. 
Autumn Spring 
Above, broadened tip of bill. 
76916—14 
