RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. 
243a. Pelidna alpina sakhalina. 8 inches. 
Bill slightly decurved and rather stout. Adults in summer, 
with the upper parts largely bright chestnut, spotted with 
black; belly black; head, throat, breast and sides strongly 
streaked with black. 
In winter, dull brownish-gray above and white below, with 
the breast washed with grayish and slightly streaked with 
dusky. These small birds are found in large flocks both on 
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, during migrations, but rarely in 
the interior. Their flight is very rapid and performed in com¬ 
pact flocks, that act as if governed by one impulse. 
Nest.— Usually built on dry grassy knolls, a hollow in the 
earth being lined with a few dried grasses; they lay three or 
four eggs with a greenish or brownish buff color, heavily 
spotted and blotched with shades of brown and chestnut (1.40 
x 1.00). 
SPOONBILL SANDPIPER. 
245. Eurynorliynchus pygmeus. 7 inches. 
A very rare Asiatic species, which is taken in Alaska. It is 
a very peculiar bird, having the end of the bill broadened and 
flattened into a sort of spoon shape. 
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