The Least Sandpiper 
trict of Alaska, north to northwestern Alaska and the southern Arctic islands. 
Migrates throughout the United States. Winters from California, Texas, North Caro¬ 
lina, etc., south to Brazil and Peru, and on the Galapagos Islands. Has occurred in 
Greenland, in northeastern Siberia, and in England (2 records). 
Distribution in California. —Abundant during migrations throughout the 
State. Winters commonly west of the Sierras, and from San Francisco Bay through 
the San Diegan district. Non-breeding birds are to be found during the summer. 
Authorities.—Cassin (Tringa wilsonii ), in Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv., vol. 
ix., 1858, p. 721 (Petaluma); Cooke, U. S. Dept. Agric., Biol. Surv. Bull., no. 35, 1910, 
p. 41 (distr. and migr.); Moore, Auk, vol. xxix., 1912, p. 210 (Magdalen Ids.; breeding 
dates). » 
LITTLE children of the marshes! Dainty, lisping, pattering 
pipers! Confiding fairies, heritors of an elder world, left stranded on the 
roaring shores of time! How may we, whose eyes are inflamed with 
covetous passion, whose ears are deafened with the sound of our own 
instruments of destruction, and whose hands are red with blood, how may 
we face your gentle innocence? And how may we endure the light of 
confidence in your mild eyes? God made you to rebuke our follies, and 
God has kept you tender and trustful in order that we may mend our ways. 
Taken near Santa Barbara Photo by the Author 
A HESITANT APPROACH 
In sober truth, a man does well to approach a company of these tiny 
pipers on bended knees. He cannot deserve such good fortune as to be 
taken into full fellowship, but by a proper show of humility he may at 
least be permitted to see them in their innocence, dainty and unconscious; 
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