Hebise and Hunting.—The western sandpiper frequents the mud flats and lagoon shor 
es. 
Like the other sandpipers, it should be fully protacted by law. a 
73. Erolia minutilla (Vieillot) 
Least Sandpiper 
None known. 
o~-The least sandpiper is believed to be a common migrant and winter visitant, as 
it is known to be common in the lowlands of El Salvador during autumn, winter, and spring. 
» 
. Description.--A very small sandpiper with a short, slender bill and greenish or yellowish 
legs. In winter’ plumage it is grayish brown above, white below, with more or lese streaking 
on the upper breast. 
Yoice.-~A plaintive, whistled pe-et, pe-et. 
8 — 
Adult male (22) Adult female (16) 
Wing, 85.5 Wing, 86.5 
Tail, 38.2 Tail, 37.1 
Tarsus, 17.7 Tarsus, 18.1 
Culmen, 17.2 Culmen, 18.7 
General Distribution.—- Breede in northern North America south of the Barren Grounds from 
northwestern Alaska to labrador south to the upper Yukon Valley, northern British Columbia, 
Fort Churchill (probably), Magdalen Islands, Newfoundland, and Sable Island. Winters fron 
southern California, Texas, and North Carolina south through México, Central America, the 
Weet Indies and South America to Peru and eastern Brazil; Galapagos Archipelago. 
etribu i t e--Visitant on the Pacific Coast; one record from Los Amates on 
the lower Rio Motagua. ‘ 
Records.--lake Atescatempa, March 15, 1942, April 27, 1946, and Apt) 1947. 
In literature it has been recorded from: Duenhas, Chiapan, o Nagualate (Salvin 
and Godman); Los Amates (Dearborn). 
Habits and Hunting.—-See the preceding species. 
74. Erolia melanotos (Vieillot) 
Pectoral Sandpiper 
8e=— 
None known. 
Statug.-<-The pectoral sandpiper is probably a common migrant, at least during autumn. 
It is so recorded for Hl Salvador, being abundant in the fall but rare in the epring. 
Description.--A streaked, brown sandpiper smaller than a killdeer and larger than a spotted 
sandpiper, with a dark, unbanded wing. Its white breast is conspicuously streaked with 
brown in sharp contrast to the unmarked white belly. 
Voice. —Usually two rather harsh notes, creek, creek. 
6nts,-= 
Male (8) Female (15) 
fail, 62.4 fail, 55.3 
Tarsus, 27.7 Tareus, 25.8 
Culmen, 28.4 Culmen, 25.8 
73 
