BAY SNIPE. 
31 
inch and one-eighth; length of tarsi one inch; hind toe want¬ 
ing. Adult with bill straight, about as long as the head. Spring 
plumage, upper parts, with the throat, fore-neck and upper part 
of the breast rufous, intermixed with dusky and grayish-white, 
deeper red on the back; lower part of the breast, abdomen, 
and sides of the body pure white; tarsi and feet black; claws 
small, compressed; primaries, outer webs black, inner webs 
light-brown; shafts brown at the base, tips black, rest pure 
white ; secondaries light-brown, broadly margined with white. 
Winter dress, lower parts white; upper parts grayish-white, 
intermixed with black or dusky, darkest on the back. Length 
seven inches and three-quarters, wing four and seven-eighths. 
“ The Sanderling is said to be an inhabitant of both Europe 
and America. According to Latham, it is known to be an in 
habitant of the remote coasts of Australia, and is found on the 
shores of Lake Baikal in Siberia. To the coast of the United 
States it is one of the most common species, but with us I have 
never observed very large numbers during spring. About the 
middle of August it arrives in flocks on the shores of Long Is¬ 
land, and usually by the first of September is very abundant. 
“ Sometimes it is seen occupying, with other small species of 
Sandpipers, the shoals and mud-flats that occur in the shallow 
part of the bay, though generally it seems to prefer the more 
immediate borders of the ocean. I have rarely, during the 
early part of autumn, visited the surf without meeting with large 
groups of Sanderlings collected along the beach, of which they 
have almost entire possession, as most of our shore birds find 
more productive feeding-grounds on the richer soil that is daily 
overflown by our inland bay. 
“ The Sanderling is of a sociable disposition, and searches for 
food in company, and is observed probing the sand for small 
bivalve shells and marine worms—to which article of diet, how¬ 
ever, it is not altogether confined, as at times it is seen attending 
the retiring wave, which furnishes it with shrimps and the like 
“ When feeding along the extreme verge of the ocean, it is 
pleasing to watch its active movements, when advancing or re- 
