AMERICAN WOODCOCK
228. Philohela minor. 11 in.
Bill very long; eyes very large and located near the top of the head;
form heavy; legs short; plumage much mottled with black, brown and gray.
These peculiar birds are very well known throughout their range, to
gunners and sportsmen, who have been the means of almost completely
exterminating them in some localities. They are found in runs along the
edges of brooks, where the mud is soft. Their food is of worms, insects
and their larvæ, which they get from the ground by boring with their
long bills. Their flight is very rapid, and when startled they double
and twist in their haste to get away, their three narrow outer wing
feathers producing a peculiar whistling sound.
Notes.—A low peep, and a twittering.
Nest.—Simply a hollow amid the surrounding leaves; the 4 eggs are buff,
with yellowish-brown spots (1.50 × 1.15); April, May.
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding chiefly from Ohio and New Jersey,
northward; winters in southern U. S.
[Illustration: ]
WILSON SNIPE
230. Gallinago delicata. 11 in.
Bill very long, but not as heavy as that of the Woodcock; eyes not
abnormally large; head striped with black and whitish; back handsomely
variegated with black, brown and white; sides barred with black and
white. The Snipe frequents more open country than the Woodcock, being
found in marshes or along open brooks. Like the Woodcock, they often lie
still and trust to their colors to prevent their being seen, but if they
are observed, and they are always on the alert, they instantly take wing
and pursue a zigzag course out of sight. Like the last species they
procure their food by boring, the tip of the bill being flexible, so
they can grasp their food when they feel it.
Notes.—A sharp, harsh whistle as they take wing.
Nest.—Depressions in the grassy edges of ponds or marshes; eggs olive
gray, marked with blackish (1.50 × 1.10); May, June.
Range.—Breeds from the northern tier of states northward. Winters in
southern U. S.
[Illustration: ]
DOWITCHER
231. Macrorhamphus griseus. 10.5 in.
Bill very long like that of the Snipe. Adults in summer are
reddish-brown below, more or less specked with black on the breast and
barred with black on the sides; above mottled with brown and black,
lighter, or even white, on the rump. In winter, they are gray above and
white below, the breast being tinged with gray and streaked with dusty.
Dowitchers are known as Red-breasted Snipe and as Robin Snipe by
gunners, with whom they are great favorites. They usually travel in
flocks, and often with flocks of other species. Their notes are a series
of musical whistles, easily imitated, and the birds are easily attracted
thereby.
Nest.—As usual on the ground; eggs greenish-buff, spotted.
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the Arctic regions; winters south of
the U. S.
232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (M. scolopaceus), is found in western N. A.
The bill is supposed to be longer, but the plumage is identical and the
birds probably are.
[Illustration: ]
STILT SANDPIPER
233. Micropalama himantopus. 8.5 in.
Bill slender and only moderately long. In summer, the entire underparts
are rusty-white, barred with blackish; ear-coverts and top of head
browner; back mixed brown and black. In winter, they are gray above and
whitish below, with the breast streaked with dusty. They seem to be one
of the least abundant of our shore birds, single individuals being found
in flocks of other species, rather than in flocks of themselves. They
are usually more shy than the birds with which they are associated,
perhaps because they lack companionship of their own kind. They have a
musical whistle, not distinctive from that of many others of our small
shore birds.
Nest.—The three or four eggs are laid in a hollow in the ground, usually
in the grass back from the beach; eggs grayish, blotched with various,
shades of brown.
Range.—Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and
migrating through the United States to South America, chiefly on the
Atlantic coast.
[Illustration: ]
KNOT
234. Tringa canutus. 10.5 in.
Bill moderately long and quite stout; form more robust than most of our
shore birds. Adults in summer, mixed brownish and gray, above, and
uniform reddish-brown below. In winter, plain gray above and white
below; young similar but with feathers on the back edged with white. It
is an abundant species on the Atlantic coast during migrations, and is
known by various names such as Red-breasted Sandpiper and Robin Snipe,
when in summer dress, and as Gray-back when in winter plumage. It is
usually found on the ocean beach, where it follows the waves as they
recede, picking up numerous insects left there, and retreating before
the next wave.
Notes.—An ordinary Sandpiper whistle.
Nest.—Not positively known, but a supposed egg obtained by Lieutenant
Greely in the vicinity of Fort Conger was pea-green in color, with small
brown spots. (1.10 × 1.00).
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; migrates chiefly on the Atlantic
coast, to South America.
[Illustration: ]
PURPLE SANDPIPER
235. Arquatella maritima. 9 in.
Upper parts blackish, margined with buffy; breast and sides slaty
purple. In winter, blackish, without the rusty edging to the feathers.
These dark colored little sandpipers prefer bold rocky coasts.
Notes.—A loud, shrill whistle.
Nest.—A hollow in the ground, among grass and weeds, lined with a few
grasses; eggs grayish buff, handsomely splashed with various shades of
brown.
Range.—Breeds from northern Labrador and the mouth of Hudson Bay
northward; winters south to Long Island Sound and the Great Lakes.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER
239. Pisobia maculata. 9 in.
Crown and back blackish, strongly edged with reddish-brown; an ashy-gray
wash on the breast, with numerous streaks of blackish. Well known and
called by a great variety of names, of which Jack Snipe and Grass Snipe
are probably the most common.
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; migrates through the U. S. to South
America.
[Illustration: ]
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER
240. Pisobia fuscicollis. 7.5 in.
Upper tail coverts white; below white, but with the throat and breast
streaked with dusky, these markings extending on the sides to the tail.
Notes.—Musical whistles in no way different from those of the Least
Sandpiper.
Nest.—On the ground, in grass back of beaches; eggs gray, profusely
blotched with blackish brown.
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from Labrador and Hudson Bay northward;
migrates through the U. S. east of the Rockies, to southern South
America.
BAIRD SANDPIPER
241. Pisobia bairdi. 7.5 in.
Of the same, size, form and general coloration as the White-rumped
Sandpiper, but the upper tail-coverts are blackish, and the breast is
only very faintly streaked.
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions, and migrates chiefly through the
interior, but to some extent on the coast, south to southern South
America.
[Illustration: ]
LEAST SANDPIPER
242. Pisobia minutilla. 6 in.
Smallest of our sandpipers. Upperparts blackish, edged with bright
chestnut; breast and sides ashy-gray, conspicuously streaked with dusky.
Notes.—A musical whistle, “peet-weet.”
Nest.—A grass lined hollow; eggs grayish, heavily blotched with blackish
brown (1.15 × .80).
Range.—Breeds from Nova Scotia and northern British Columbia northward;
winters from the Gulf States and California southward.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
246. Ereunetes pusillus. 6.25 in.
Feet with small webs between the toes at their base. Similar in size and
form to the Least Sandpiper, but the upper parts are not as bright
rusty, and the breast is only faintly streaked with dusky.
Range.—Breeds from Labrador northward.
247. WESTERN SANDPIPER (E. mauri) is very similar; more rusty above,
with stronger markings.
[Illustration: ]
RED-BACKED SANDPIPER
243. Pelidna alpina sakhalina. 8 in.
Bill slightly decurved and rather stout. Adults in summer, with the
upper parts largely bright rusty; belly black; head, throat, breast and
sides strongly streaked with black. In winter, dull brownish-gray above
and white below, with the breast washed with grayish and slightly
streaked with dusky. Found in large flocks on both the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts, during migrations, but rarely in the interior. Their
flight is very rapid and performed in very compact flocks that act as if
governed by one impulse. They are very active, feeding for a short time
in one place, then flying to another. They are found most abundantly on
sand bars and mud flats, rather than on the open beach.
Nest.—Usually on dry, grassy knolls, a hollow in the earth being lined
with a few dried grasses. Eggs pale greenish or brownish gray, spotted
with blackish (1.40 × 1.00); June.
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions, and winters from the Gulf coast and
southern California, southward.
[Illustration: ]
SANDERLING
248. Calidris leucophæa. 8 in.
Toes short and stout; no hind toe. Adults in summer, variegated above
with bright reddish-brown and black; below white, the breast being
strongly washed with rusty and spotted with black. In winter, plain
grayish above and white below; head white, except the crown; young birds
are like winter adults but have the back with some blackish. In the
interior this species is found on the edges of lakes and rivers. On the
coast, it is one of the boldest of the shore birds, feeding on the edge
of the outer beach, often under the combing crest of the incoming waves,
retreating just as the wave breaks and is dashed to foam on the beach.
They are usually wary and will not allow a close approach.
Nest.—On the ground; eggs greenish-buff, spotted with black.
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters south to Patagonia,
migrating on both coasts and to a less extent in the interior.
[Illustration: ]
MARBLED GODWIT
249. Limosa fedoa. 19 in.
Bill long and slightly recurved. Back, wings and tail, rufous, barred
with black; rump usually white, with black bars; underparts pale rufous
with narrow bars; head grayish, with black streaks on the crown and
sides. Young similar, but whiter below and with few or no bars. These
large waders are found in moderately large flocks both in the interior
and on the coast in the fall. They frequent salt marshes on the coast,
and the borders of ponds and lakes in the interior. They are much hunted
and are consequently very wary, usually taking wing as soon as anyone
appears in sight. They are readily decoyed, and thousands perish
annually at the hands of sportsmen. They are known by many names, Marlin
and Straight-bill Curlew probably being the most commonly used.
Range.—Breeds in the interior from Iowa north to Saskatchewan. Winters
south of the U. S., migrating along both coasts as well as in the
interior.
[Illustration: ]
HUDSONIAN GODWIT
251. Limosa hæmastica. 15 in.
Bill slightly recurved; tail black at the end, and white at the base,
not barred as that of the last species always is. Above blackish, with
rusty margins; below deep reddish-chestnut, barred, chiefly on the
sides, with black. In winter, similar but duller both above and below,
with only traces of bars on the flanks, and with the breast more or less
streaked. This species is more abundant on the Atlantic coast during
migrations than the last. It is most often known as the Ring-tailed
Marlin, owing to a very strong contrast between the black tail, white
rump and dark upper parts as the bird flies. They are usually found in
the marshes back of the ocean beach, and, owing to their large size, can
be seen for a long distance.
Notes.—A loud, shrill Whistle.
Nest.—A grass lined hollow in marshes; eggs brownish buff, blotched with
blackish (2.20 × 1.40).
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions; winters south of the United States,
migrating chiefly on the Atlantic coast, but to some extent down the
Miss. Valley.
[Illustration: ]
GREATER YELLOW-LEGS
254. Totanus melanoleucus. 14 in.
Bill long and rather slender; legs long and yellow or greenish yellow.
Head and neck streaked with gray and white; back black margined with
white; rump white; tail barred black and white; underparts white, washed
with gray on the breast; and with numerous black arrow-head markings. In
winter, similar, but with no black markings below.
Notes.—A loud three-syllabled whistle.
Range.—Breeds from northern portion of Miss. Valley in the U. S.
northward; winters from the Gulf States and southern California
southward.
LESSER YELLOW-LEGS
255. Totanus flavipes. 10.5 in.
Very similar in form, color and markings to the large Yellow-legs, but
smaller in every way.
Range.—Breeds in the interior of Canada, north to the Arctic Ocean, and
possibly in northern Miss. Valley. Winters from the Gulf States
southward, migrating in the interior and along the Atlantic coast.
[Illustration: ]
SOLITARY SANDPIPER
256. Helodromas solitarius. 8.5 in.
Above olive-grayish, streaked on the head and neck, and sharply speckled
on the back and wings, with white; tail sharply barred with black and
white; below white, streaked on the breast and barred on the sides with
gray and white. In winter, with fewer white markings on the back. It is
often confused with the Spotted Sandpiper that frequents the same
places, but should be easily identified when it flies by its barred tail
and linings of the wings. They have the habit, common to nearly all the
shore birds, of elevating their wings after alighting, and then
carefully folding them on the back.
Nest.—For a long time their eggs were unknown, but are now known to be
laid in the nests of other land birds, at low elevations in trees or
bushes near water. They have been found in Manitoba in a Waxwing’s nest.
Eggs bluish-green with blackish-brown blotches.
Range.—Breeds from Northern U. S. northward; winters south of the U. S.
[Illustration: ]
WILLET
258. Catophophorus semipalmatus. 16 in.
Bill long and quite stout; feet with small webs between the bases of the
toes. Upper parts brownish-gray, more or less speckled with black; most
of secondaries and bases of primaries white, very conspicuous in flight,
and easily distinguishing it from any other wader of its size. Usually
found in small flocks along the edges of marshes; they are said to be
quite shy except during nesting season, and to be difficult to decoy.
After breeding they wander northward and are often seen in flocks of
other migrating species. When standing on the beach they often indulge
in curious antics, bowing and flirting their tails.
Notes.—A loud, shrill whistle, “pill-will-willet.”
Nest.—On the ground; eggs buffy, blotched with brown.
Range.—Breeds from the Gulf to New Jersey; later strays to Maine. 258a,
Western Willet (S. s. inornata) is supposed to be slightly larger and
paler. Breeds from Texas to Manitoba; winters along the Gulf coast.
[Illustration: ]
BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER
261. Bartramia longicauda. 12 in.
Upper parts blackish with greenish-brown edgings; tail brownish with
black bars, and white tips to the outer feathers. Underparts white, with
prominent inverted, black arrow head markings on the breast and along
the sides. These birds are more often known as Upland Plovers, because
they are found on dry hillsides, rarely near water. West of the Miss.
they are said to occur in large flocks in the Fall, but in the East,
half a dozen or so would be considered a fair sized flock. They feed
upon small grasshoppers and other small insects, sometimes chasing them
for a considerable distance before securing them. They are shy and
usually take wing as soon as they see you.
Nest.—Of grasses, usually concealed in clumps of grass or weeds in the
middle of fields; eggs buffy, blotched with yellowish-brown (1.75 ×
1.25); May, June.
Range.—Breeds locally in the northern half of the United States and
Southern Canada; winters south of the U. S.
[Illustration: ]
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
262. Tryngites subruficollis. 8 in.
Bill short and slender. General color above, blackish-brown margined
with tawny; underparts buffy, with a few black specks on the sides of
the breast. Primaries blackish-brown on the outer webs, the inner webs,
as well as those of the secondaries, being whitish, peculiarly speckled
with black; these markings are characteristic and are found on no other
of our shore birds. It seems to be most nearly related to the last
species, and like that, is often found on hillsides at a distance from
water.
Notes.—A low, weak “tweet.”
Nest.—A scantily lined depression on the ground; the four eggs are
grayish-buff, boldly blotched with rich chestnut-brown and black (1.45 ×
1.05); June.
Range.—Breeds in Arctic America; winters in South America, migrating
chiefly through the interior of the United States, but to a less degree
on the coast.
[Illustration: ]
SPOTTED SANDPIPER
263. Actitis macularia. 7.5 in.
Below white, with round blackish spots, heaviest on the breast and
sides; above olive-brown or gray, with faint black bars; a narrow black
line from the bill through the eye to the ears. Young entirely white
below, with the breast faintly tinged with gray. These birds are
abundant and breed locally throughout the United States and the greater
part of Canada. One or more pairs will usually be found nesting in the
fields about all small ponds, or among the weeds that grow about edges
of pools and lakes. They have a peculiar habit of “teetering,” whether
standing still or while feeding on the banks of streams or ponds; other
birds do this but not nearly as persistently as Spotted Sandpipers.
Notes.—A clear “peet-weet;” also a single melodious whistle.
Nest.—On the ground in fields or near the edges of pools or streams;
eggs buffy, boldly spotted.
Range.—Breeds from the Gulf to Hudson Bay; winters south of the U. S.
[Illustration: ]
LONG-BILLED CURLEW
264. Numenius americanus. 23 in.
Bill much decurved and very long (4 to 8 in.), the longest of any of our
shore birds. Plumage variegated with rufous and blackish above; bright
buffy or rufous below, streaked on neck and breast, and barred on the
sides with blackish. “Sickle-bills,” as these birds are often called,
are the largest of our shore birds. They are very conspicuous either
when flying or walking on the marshes or sandbars, their size appearing
gigantic when they are in a flock of smaller plover, as sometimes
happens. They fly in compact flocks, evidently led by one individual,
for they wheel and circle in perfect unison, sailing up in the wind on
outspread wings, when about to alight.
Notes.—A flute-like whistle, “ker-loo.”
Nest.—On the ground; eggs greenish-buff, with small black spots over the
whole surface (2.50 × 1.80).
Range.—Breeds in the Upper Miss. Valley, north to Manitoba; winters in
the Gulf States, and southward; formerly bred on the South Atlantic
coast; strays to New England and New Brunswick in the fall.
[Illustration: ]
HUDSONIAN CURLEW
265. Numenius hudsonicus. 17 in.
Darker brown above, than the Sickle-bill; crown broadly striped with
blackish and buff; underparts grayish, streaked on the breast and barred
on the sides with blackish. This and the succeeding species are summer
inhabitants of the Arctic regions, being found within our borders only
for a short time in the Fall and Spring. It is found in fresh and salt
water marshes, as well as on mud-flats and on sandy beaches of the
seashore. They are very unsuspicious and are easily stalked, or decoy
very easily, coming to wooden caricatures of themselves stuck up in the
mud, or to crude imitations of their whistles; consequently large
numbers of them are shot and they are becoming scarce.
Notes.—Similar to that of the last.
Nest.—Hollows in the ground, lined with grasses and weeds; eggs buffy,
blotched with brownish-black (2.25 × 1.60).
Range.—Breeds in the Arctic regions. Winters south of the United States,
migrating both on the coast and in the interior.
[Illustration: ]
ESKIMO CURLEW
266. Numenius borealis. 13.5 in.
Bill comparatively short (about 2 in.) and little curved. Above, marked
similarly to the last; below white or pale buff, often thickly covered
on the breast and sides with streaks and arrow head markings of
blackish. Primaries and most of the secondaries plain brownish-black,
without the variegation of the last species. A few years ago this was
considered the most abundant of the curlews, but so persistently have
they been hunted that they are now practically exterminated. When it
comes to looking after their safety, curlews are, perhaps, the most
stupid of the shore birds for they do not seem to realize the dangerous
character of mankind in general, and they have paid the penalty. I trust
that all sportsmen will refrain from shooting these birds.
Nest.—Like that of the Hudsonian; eggs similar but smaller.
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the Arctic regions and migrating
through the Plains, Mississippi Valley, and to a less extent on the
Atlantic coast, to South America. Very rare now anywhere.
[Illustration: ]