Birds observed in Naval Hospital 
Grounds, Brooklyn, G.H.Coues 
54. Tringa mirmtilla. Least Sandpiper. — Quite common. 
BuU.N.0.0. 4, Jan., 1879, p,32 
~ g2 Actodromas minutilla. Least Sandpiper. —Very abundant 
about Lakes George and Champlain during the fall migration. 
EuaM.O.O, 7, Oct, 1882, p.256 
Oneida Ocunty, New York 
William L.Ealpii & Egbert BaW 
Tringa minutilla. — One taken at Sylvan Beach, Oneida Lake, Sept. 18, 
1S8S. 
Auk, VII. July, 1890, p, 3. 3 0 
Sandpipers at Sea. — On May 6 of this year. I was a passenger on the 
steamer ‘St. Laurent,’ which sailed from New York at io A.M., with a 
light east wind and clear weather. May 7 and 8 the wind held east, 
gradually increasing to a fair breeze. Yet not at any time was there 
more than a fair summer breeze, though the gradual increase of the old 
swell running from the east told us of a storm not far ahead. We did 
not catch the storm, but learned, on reaching port, that steamers a few 
hours in advance had found rough weather. Both days were more or less 
foggy, the steam horn blowing on and off about half the time. 
The fastest run up to 12 m. on May 8 was 582 miles. 1 regret that I am 
now unable to give exact position, but as we took a slightly more south- 
erly course than is usual with the French line, it can easily be approxi- 
mated. 
On May 8, at 2 p. m. , while watching some Petrels, I noticed a flock of 
Peeps on the port side, flying towards the steamer from the northwest. 
When within about 80 yards of us they turned to the east till they could 
pass our bows, then turned sharply, passing within a few yards, or even 
feet of us, and then off to the S. E. by E. I at once went to the upper 
deck to watch for more, and was surprised to find that, in every direc- 
tion, as far as I could see in the then light fog, were large flocks of Peeps 
all flying in the same direction, S. E. by E. The birds were flying in 
large scattered flocks of from fifty to apparently several hundred birds. 
The flight lasted for nearly three hours, during which a very large num- 
ber of birds must have passed us. 
Why were they flying S. E. by E. ? They should at that season have 
been bound for their northern breeding grounds and not for Africa. 
There was not any evidence tending to show that the birds were lost, 
as all flew exactly the same way. Every flock that found our vessel in 
their line of flight, and of which there were not less than fifty, turned to 
the east till they could make by our bow, not one flock, or even a single 
bird, did I see turn to the westward to cross astearn of us. 
They were flying strong, easily passing our steamer, then making 12^ 
knots. Not one tried to alight, nor did any fall into the water, nor were 
any seen floating, though I watched carefully. 
Whether the Peeps were Tringa minutilla or Breunetes pusillus I can 
not say, but surely they were out of place and fast getting more so. — W. 
A. Jeffries, Boston, Mass. AUk, 3, J an., 1686, p. l3/”/3X 
SZyi tt-CLoa.; £/. 
Pisobia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — This species was recorded 
but once, on July 21, when several were seen. 
AOk 27. July- 1910 p, 
^3 
