eis Oe sUlcps uN Bebo EsieleN oi: 
this is apparent only in good light and at a short distance. Under 
other circumstances, they appear to be an indefinite dusky color. The 
slender bill is slightly decurved at the tip, as can be determined when 
the bird holds its head still. 
RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. Uncommon in the spring, more common 
in the fall. One to fifty birds seen each day; observed three to twenty- 
three times each year. May 10-14. September 25-November 11. 
DOWITCHER. An uncommon migrant. One to ten birds came each 
day; seen two to five times each fall. May 18. August 6-September 11. 
In fall some birds have pinkish-brown breasts, others are in the 
gray fall plumage. 
SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER. A spring and fall migrant, more com- 
mon in the fall. One to fifty birds occur each day; seen nine to sixty- 
nine times each year. May 18-28. August 1-22. 
The short, stout bill, thicker at the base, and the black legs are 
usually sufficient for separating this bird from other small species. 
However, some individuals have grayish legs and thinner bills than 
others; they then resemble least sandpipers. The semi-palmated is 
usually a grayer bird than the least, but occasionally a semi-palmated 
occurs with a brownish back. The semi-palmated has a straight bill 
without the decurved tip. 
WESTERN SANDPIPER. A rare fall migrant which was first noticed 
in 1932; also seen in 1933,.1934, 1936, and 1937. Single birds only 
were seen on each day. Observed one to three times in the years cited. 
August 24-September 3. 
The western sandpiper closely resembles the semi-palmated, but 
the bill is longer and decurved at the tip. All that I have seen have 
traces of bright chestnut on the wing. 
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. An uncommon fall migrant, but seen 
each year since 1932. One to three birds appeared on each day; has 
been noted one to eight times each year. August 25-September 25. 
The legs of this species are usually yellow, but one had distinctly 
greenish legs and another had grayish legs. The call is a low squeak. 
SANDERLING. A spring and fall migrant in the park; very com- 
mon in the fall. One to seventy-nine individuals noted per day; 
observed thirteen to eighty-eight times per year. May 7-28. August 1- 
November 16. 
In August many have reddish-brown breasts, others arrive with 
fall plumage and many of these have contrasting black shoulder 
patches. 
1845 Oakdale Avenue, Chicago. 
