SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER. 
238. Pisobia aurita. 9 inches. 
This species is blackish-brown above, feathers strongly edged 
with reddish brown, white below except the breast, which is 
reddish brown. Fairly common in summer on the coast of 
Alaska; in winter supposed to migrate south wholly on the 
Asiatic side of the Pacific. 
PECTORAL SANDPIPER. 
239. Pisobia maculata . 9 inches. 
A peculiar species, having the power during the mating season 
of inflating the throat to a great extent. They have more the 
habits of the Snipe than do most of the Sandpipers, frequent¬ 
ing grassy meadows or marshes, and feeding along the muddy 
flats in place of the sandy beaches. They are very dark brown 
above, with much lighter brown edging the feathers, and are 
white below and on the throat; the breast is brownish. These 
are well-known birds, and are called by gunners 1 ‘ Grass 
Snipe’ 7 or “Jack Snipe 77 as a more common name. 
Nest.—Are grass-lined depressions, in which are laid three or 
four grayish or greenish buff eggs (1.45x 1.00). 
Range. —Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic re¬ 
gions and wintering south of the United States. 
78 
