SHORE BIRDS. 
4 
be observed during the season of their migrations—and, if the 
reader will go with us early in April to the easterly shores of 
New England, say to Cape Cod, the most prominent point 
on the whole coast, and the one where most of the migrants 
that follow the coast line must show themselves, we will 
take our stand there and “ see what we shall see” of these 
birds as they pass along. Of the swimming birds ( Natatores ) 
and the other orders we have at present nothing to do, nor shall 
we speak of such waders ( Grallatores ) as are not considered 
worthy the attention of sportsmen, or, in other words, our 
remarks will refer only to such of the waders as visit the sea 
shore, and will add something to our supply of food. 
The winter residents, the snow buntings, ( Emberezi nivalis , 
Linn.) and the shore larks ( Alauda alpestris , Foster), have 
barely bid adieu to the land of their sojourn aud set out for 
their more northern homes, when the spring season is 
ushered in by the soft plaintive note of the piping plover 
(.uEgialitis melodus, Cab.) and the shrill tones of the ring-neck 
(.lEJgialitis seni'palmatus, Cab.). The former is a summer 
resident, and rears its young within the doleful sound of the 
fog horn on Pollock Rip. Possibly the latter may have bred 
here in Colonial times, but rarely, if at all, in later years. 
They do not seem to be as gregarious in spring as most of 
the other shore birds, nor is either species very numerous. 
They lead an industrious life, running about upon the dry 
sand more than most of this order, and seem to feed on sand 
fleas and such other insects as they find there. By the mid¬ 
dle of April, in a forward season, will be heard the pecu¬ 
liarly curved and inspiriting triple note of the winter vel- 
lowleg ( Totanus melanoleucus, Vieill.), and if we take a stroll 
down over the low marshes, we shall be likely to see a soli¬ 
tary individual or small flock feeding on the little minnows 
that are so numerous along the ditches and marshy inlets at 
high tide. Sometimes they resort to the sand flats, but do 
not seem to pick up any food there ; nor is this their usual 
feeding ground. They breed pretty much all over the coun¬ 
try, and are common in winter as far north as the Carolinas. 
Another early visitant is the red-backed sandpiper or win- 
