BOARD OF GAME AND FISH COMMISSIONERS 
79 
V 
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER. A migrant. With the exception of two questionable 
records, this bird has been seen in Minnesota only during the southward migra¬ 
tion, in July to October, inclusive. It is then not infrequent along lake shores 
and on sand-bars and mud-flats, usually in company with other small sandpipers. 
Of the two spring records mentioned above, that of Dr. Hatch in his 
“Notes,” 1892, “The spring of 1875, Dr. T. S. Roberts” is an erroneous use of 
August observations reported to Dr. Hatch by the present writer at the time they 
were made. This is an example of the manner in which the Doctor very often 
handled information submitted to him, in writing, as well as verbally, and which 
makes his reports, written apparently from memory, so unsatisfactory and so un¬ 
reliable in details. Dr. Hatch, with whom the writer was well acquainted, was an 
active and enthusiastic bird student and entitled to credit for his perseverance and 
single-handed efforts in the early days, but, unfortunately he was not possessed 
of a scientific or orderly mind. A second spring record is that of Mr. J. M. Eheim, 
who reported in Fins, Feathers and Fur, No. 14, June, 1918, that he saw fifteen 
Baird’s Sandpipers near Hutchinson, McLeod County, on May 18, 1918, and that 
it was “common” on the 19th. No specimens were taken and Mr. Eheim himself 
now considers the observation questionable. 
In July and August, 1879, this species was taken and seen several times by 
the writer along the north shore of Lake Superior, feeding on the shelving rocks 
in the wake of retreating waves, commonly associated with Least and Semi-pal- 
mated Sandpipers. Dr. Hvoslef reported it “numerous” at Lanesboro, Fillmore 
County, August 28, 1888. Taken in Lac qui Parle County, October 13, 1892, by 
Dr. C. T. Cooke. Two were seen at the Long Meadow Gun Club, Hennepin 
County, August 25, 1918, T. S. Roberts. It is sometimes found on the uplands 
in quest of insect food. Breeds in the far north and winters far south in South 
America. 
LEAST SANDPIPER; PEEP; AMERICAN STINT. This, the smallest of 
our Shore Birds, is a common migrant throughout the state, the rocky shores of Lake 
Superior and sandy beaches or mud-flats elsewhere proving equally attractive in 
its search for food. It arrives about May 1st and the bulk passes quickly on, to 
return again in August and remain until early October. Many are here during 
the whole summer and may be encountered almost anywhere in suitable places, 
either singly, in pairs, or in little parties of a half dozen or so; but there is no 
reliable record of the species nesting in the state as Dr. Hatch’s account is not 
without question. It breeds in the far north and winters from the West Indies 
to Brazil. 
RED-BACKED SANDPIPER; BLACK-BELLIED SANDPIPER; AMERICAN 
DUNLIN. A common, formerly an abundant, migrant, from about May 1st to 
the first week in June, returning from the north in August to remain until mid- 
September. It is less frequently seen here in the nesting season than the other 
regular transients of this group. “Quite a number” were found in Lincoln County, 
July 18, 1897, by Franklin Benner. It flies in close flocks and feeds on mud-flats 
and beaches. Breeds on the shores of the Arctic seas and winters in the southern 
United States. 
In full plumage the black belly and reddish brown back easily identify this 
species; but at all times its slightly decurved, rather long bill serve to dis¬ 
tinguish it. 
