86 
BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
are known there by the common name of “ Peeps.” This species is also 
found, often in considerable numbers, about streams and ponds in all 
parts of the state, but is generally more numerous in the interior in the 
fall than during the spring migration. Referring to these, the smallest 
of all our sandpipers, Nuttall says that “ for the discovery of their food 
their flexible and sensitive awl-like bills are probed into the mire, marshy 
soil, or wet sand, in the manner of the snipe and woodcock, and in this 
way they discover and rout from their hidden retreats the larvae and 
soft worms which form a principal part of their fare. At other times 
they also give chase to insects, and pursue their calling with amusing 
alacrity.” 
Tringa alpina paciflca (Ooues.). 
American Dunlin; Red-backed Sandpiper; Black-bellied Sandpiper 
Description. 
Bill and legs black, the former rather stout and slightly decurved. The bill is 
much longer than head (three specimens before me average 1.50); sexes alike. Like 
other sandpipers this species shows great variation in its colors with age and season, 
but adults in the spring may be known by the bright chestnut and blackish feathers 
(many with grayish or white tips), of upper parts, the black colored rump and upper 
tail-coverts, and a broad black patch on belly. The foreneck and upper part of 
breast grayish-white, streaked with dusky, rest of under parts white. The adults 
and young in fall dress have upper parts rather dark ashy-gray ; rump and upper 
tail-coverts much darker (specimens are often seen with reddish and black feathers 
on back, and sometimes single feathers or patches of black on belly). Lower parts 
usually white; foreneck and breast grayish-white streaked with dusky. Length 
about 8| or 9 inches ; extent about 15; eyes brown. 
Habitat .—North America in general, breeding far north. 
Regular spring and fall migrant. The American Dunlin or Red- 
backed Sandpiper is much more numerous at Erie bay, and about the 
lake shore in Erie county, than in any other section of the state. When 
these birds are met with about the gravelly or muddy shores of our 
larger water courses—Susquehanna, Delaware, Allegheny and Ohio rivers 
chiefly—they generally are seen singly or in small flocks, usually in com¬ 
pany with other species. At Erie, in the fall, the Dunlin is a very 
abundant bird, being found in flocks which often number a hundred or 
more. Large numbers of this species, and other shore birds, are killed 
by gunners in the fall (the principal flights occur usually in September) 
along the beach on the peninsula, and about the muddy flats at the 
mouth of Mill Creek, which flows into Erie bay, below the Soldiers’ and 
Sailors’ Home, at Erie city. The Dunlin feeds on worms, insects, small 
bivalve shells, etc., and when fat, is equally as palatable as the snipe or 
plover. 
