nAUNTS AND HABITS . 
5 
ter snipe (Tringa alvina var. americana , Cass.)- Not nu¬ 
merous in spring, but quite so in fall. They are abundant 
at Lake Ontario and fu’ther west about the middle of May, 
and will be found all winter in Virginia, at Currituck Sound 
and points further s uth, where t^ey are regarded a i winder 
residents. They feed on the flats and around the lake shores, 
much the same as do sanderlings and other members of the 
group. In the Hebrides they mix with the golden plover 
and are called “ plover’s pages.” 
About the 10th of May the least sandpiper (Tringa pusilla, 
Wils.) comes gliding along trilling its cheerful, gle-.some 
notes. There are two—possibly three—species or varieties 
of these graceful little creatures, commonly called “peeps.” 
The above species is designated as a “marsh peep,” has olive 
or yellow bill and feet, and feeds abound little pools on the 
marshes, or on mud patches. The other sp cies, “sand 
peep” (Tringa semipalmata, Wils.) is larger, fighter color and 
more gregarious than his little cousm of the marshes; has 
black feet and bill, feeds on the sand flats and s,its, though 
they sometimes go on to the marshes as d) the others on to 
the sand flats. They retire at high tide with the other shore 
birds to the high beaches for safety or rest, but return as soon 
as the tide ebbs sufficiently to allow them to feed. They are 
very industrious, running about, punching their bis into 
the sand in search of food, devouring only the (hoicest spe¬ 
cimens of worms or minute mollusks, always in a hurry, and 
by the first of June scarcely any will be seen in this vicinity. 
The sanderling (Calidris arenaria, Ill ) is another numer¬ 
ous species, which arrives about the same time of the preced¬ 
ing. They are quite gregarious, feeding along the edges of 
tide-water much the same as the peeps, and exhibiting about 
the same nervous energy in searching for food. 
By May 20th we shall begin to hear the dual whistling note 
of the red-breas'ed sandpiper (Tringa canu us , L nn.), which 
is hailed with delight by such gunners as enj y slaught-- ring 
them at this season of the year. Usually they are in la-ge 
flocks hurraing aloDg, stopping but a few days to f ed and 
rest. Nor will many be seen after the 1st or 0th of June, 
