The Bird Book Part 27

A black and white wader, with extremely long red legs; otherwise a gracefully formed bird. It breeds in large colonies anywhere in its range, making its nests of weeds and sometimes a few twigs, on the ground beside of, or in the marshes. Their eggs number three or four and are brownish or greenish buff with numerous markings of brownish black, these markings being somewhat lengthened and mostly running lengthwise of the sh.e.l.l. They nest during April in the southern parts of their range and through May and June in the northern. Size of eggs 1.80 1.25. Data.--Freshwater Lake, southern California, June 5, 1891. Four eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; no nest. Collector, Evan Davis.

[Ill.u.s.tration 141: Greenish buff.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: American Avocet. Black-necked Stilt.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Greenish buff.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACIDae

Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size, and found either about streams or ponds in the interior or along the coasts. They feed upon small sh.e.l.l fish, or insects which they get usually by probing in the soft mud.

227. EUROPEAN WOODc.o.c.k. _Scolopax rusticola_.

This European bird is similar to the American Woodc.o.c.k, but is larger and is barred beneath. Their habits are the same as those of our species.

228. WOODc.o.c.k. _Philohela minor_.

Range.--Eastern North America, north to the British Provinces, breeding throughout its range.

This is one of the most eagerly sought game birds of the east. Their flight is very rapid and erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar whistling sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it requires a skillful marksman to bring them down. They frequent boggy places especially "runs" lined with alders, where they bore in the soft ground for worms and grubs. Their eggs are laid upon the bare ground among the leaves and sticks; they are of about the color of dead leaves, as is also the bird, making it quite difficult to discover their nests. They lay three or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown spots.

Size 1.50 1.15.

229. EUROPEAN SNIPE. _Gallinago gallinago_.

A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Greenland. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are the same.

[Ill.u.s.tration 142: Buffy gray.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: American Woodc.o.c.k. Wilson's Snipe.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: left hand margin.]

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[Ill.u.s.tration 143: C. A. Reed.

WOODc.o.c.k ON HER NEST.]

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[Ill.u.s.tration 144: WOODc.o.c.k.]

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WILSON SNIPE. _Gallinago delicata_.

Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward; winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward.

Another favorite game bird, but one which requires skill to hunt successfully. Of about the same size as the Woodc.o.c.k (11 inches long).

This species, to a great extent frequents the same haunts used by Woodc.o.c.k, but is especially fond of open marshy meadows, with winding brooks. Their nests are depressions in gra.s.sy banks, generally unlined; the three or four eggs have an olive gray color and are strongly marked with blackish brown. Size 1.50 1.10. Data.--Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba, June 10, 1903. Nest in a hollow on a tuft of marsh gra.s.s, the four eggs having their points together. Collector, Walter Raine.

230.1. GREATER SNIPE. _Gallinago media_.

A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at Hudson Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species.

[Ill.u.s.tration 145: Olive gray.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: NEST AND EGGS OF WOODc.o.c.k.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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231. DOWITCHER. _Macrorhamphus griseus_.

Range.--North America, most abundant in the eastern parts; breeds in the extreme north, and winters from the Gulf States to Northern South America.

This species is commonly known as "Red-breasted Snipe" in late spring and summer because of the rich, rusty red coloration of the underparts, and as "Gray-back" in winter because of its color at that season. They are very common along the Atlantic coast during the Spring migration; they can be easily identified by their very long bills, which are over two inches in length and nearly one quarter the length of the whole bird. They nest during June, placing their three or four eggs in a slight hollow, which may or may not be lined with dried gra.s.s or leaves.

The eggs have a greenish or brownish buff color and are boldly marked with dark brown. They do not differ greatly from those of the Snipe.

Data.--Mackenzie River, June 27, 1900. Four eggs in a hollow in the gra.s.s, lined with dead gra.s.s. Collector, Walter Raine.

[Ill.u.s.tration 146: Dowitcher.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Greenish buff.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: LOON.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: left hand margin.]

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232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. _Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus_.

Range.--Whole of North America, but not common on the Atlantic coast; breeds in the Arctic regions and migrates chiefly through the central and western parts of the United States to Mexico.

This bird is practically the same as the last, but is a trifle larger and the bill averages about a half inch longer. They are very numerous in their breeding haunts, and, during their migrations, fly in large compact flocks. They are not very timid, and consequently fall an easy prey to the gunners. Their nesting habits and eggs are the same as the last species, except that the eggs may average a trifle larger. Size 1.75 1.15. Data.--Norton Is., Alaska, June, 1900. Nest a small hollow in the dry ground. Four eggs. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.

233. STILT SANDPIPER. _Micropalama himantopus_.

Range.--North America, east of the Rocky Mountains; breeds in the Arctic regions and winters from the Gulf States southward.

In the summer, these birds may be known by the reddish coloration of the underparts, which are numerously barred; they are smaller than the preceding, length about eight inches. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the majority of the members of the family. The three or four eggs are buffy or grayish, and are blotched and spotted with shades of brown. Size 1.40 1.00.

[Ill.u.s.tration 147: Greenish buff.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Long-billed.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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234. KNOT. _Tringa canutus_.