SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 
99 
bill straight and slender, longer than tarsus ; tarsus equal to length of mid¬ 
dle toe and claw. Adults in summer : upper parts plain slaty or plumbeous 
gray; under parts thickly barred with white and dusky, becoming more 
spotted on throat and pure white on anal region. Adults in winter: middle 
of belly and chin white ; chest, sides, and upper parts gray. Young : like 
winter adults but with fine specks and narrow scallops of white on wings 
and back. Length: 10.50-11.30, wing 6.50-7.30, bill 1.50-1.60, tarsus 
I. 25-1.35. 
Distribution. — Pacific coast of America, from Norton Sound to Lower 
California and Galapagos Islands; west to Kamseliatka and the Hawaiian 
and Polynesian Islands ; breeding from Vancouver Island northward. 
Nest and eggs apparently not recorded, but young birds taken by 
Macoun on the west coast of Vancouver Island. 
GENUS BARTRAMIA. 
261. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.). Bartramian Sandpiper: 
Upland Plover. 
Tail long and graduated, the end reaching well beyond tips of folded 
wings ; base of toes webbed only between outer and middle. Adults : 
rump black, rest of upper parts dusky, or greenish black, scalloped and 
streaked with buff; crown blackish, with a median line of light buff ; 
sides and lower surface of wing barred with black and white ; throat 
streaked and chest marked with dusky; chin and belly white. Length: 
II. 00-12.75, wing 6.50-7.00, bill 1.10-1.15, tarsus 1.90-2.05, tail 3.40-3.50. 
Distribution. — Most of North America, but mainly the plains and prairie 
region east of the Rocky Mountains; north to Nova Scotia and Alaska; 
west to Utah and Oregon ; breeding from southern Kansas and Utah north¬ 
ward ; migrating to Brazil and Peru. Accidental in Europe and Australia. 
Nest. — A slight depression, usually in bare ground, sometimes with a 
little grass lining. Eggs : 4, creamy or huffy, spotted with dark brown 
and purplish gray. 
While in habits more plover than sandpiper, Bartramia combines 
even more the characteristics of the curlew and the godwit. It is 
rarely found near water, being preeminently a bird of the prairie. 
Sometimes during migrations it gathers in large flocks but is usually 
found in pairs catching insects in the prairie grass and flowers or 
following the plough picking up worms from the fresh earth. To the 
plough-boy of the plains it is a confiding companion, trusting him at 
a friendly distance and confidently answering his low whistles, while 
he in turn marks its nests, leaving many a bit of unploughed ground 
for its home. The soft bubbling whistle of the old birds as they 
come over the prairie to meet you, and with curved trembling wings 
circle about, trying to coax you away from their nests or young, is 
one of the sweetest, most characteristic sounds of the prairie. 
But, for the morsel of meat on their breasts, these beautiful, 
friendly birds are counted game, even on their breeding grounds, 
and in migration they are slaughtered by thousands on the southern 
nrairies Vernon Bailey. 
