g 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 grass 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
grass, lined with dead grass. Collector, Walter Raine.

[Illustration 146: Dowitcher.]
[Illustration: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: LOON.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 145

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 x 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 x 1.00.

[Illustration 147: Greenish buff.]
[Illustration: Long-billed.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 146

234. KNOT. _Tringa canutus_.

Range.--Arctic regions in summer; south through the United States,
chiefly on the Atlantic coast, to South America.

Of about the same size as the Dowitchers, length 10.5 inches, but with a
much shorter bill. In summer the en