rom these characteristic
actions it has received the very common names of "Teeter-tail" and
"Tip-up." They build their nests on the ground near ponds, brooks or
marshes, generally concealing it in a tuft of grass or weeds on the
shore or in the high grass at the edge of the meadows. The eggs number
from three to five and are of a grayish buff color, spotted and blotched
with blackish brown. The young, like those of all the shore birds, are
hatched covered with down, and run about as soon as born. They are
anxiously attended by the parents and at the least sign of danger,
conceal themselves beneath a tuft of grass or behind a small stone,
where they remain perfectly motionless until called by the old birds.
The adults frequently attempt to lead an enemy away from the young by
feigning a broken wing, or lameness. Size of eggs 1.35 x .90.
Data.--Parker County, Ind., May 22, 1901. Nest about six yards from bank
of creek, among weeds on a sand bar; a hollow in the sand lined with
weeds. Collector, Winfield S. Catlin.

[Illustration 160: Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Spotted Sandpiper.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: Buff.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 159

264. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. _Numenius americanus._

Range.--Breeds in the South Atlantic states and northward in the
interior to Manitoba and British Columbia.

This is the largest of the family of shore birds, having a length of
about 24 inches. Its plumage is of a buffy color, much variegated above
with black and brown; the bill is strongly curved downward and is from
four to eight inches in length. Their nests are located on the ground in
meadows or on the prairies, and three or four eggs are laid, of a buff
or greenish buff color, covered with numerous spots of brownish black.
Eggs of the common Curlew of Europe, have been very frequently used as
belonging to this species, but the eggs of our species have a lighter
and more greenish ground, and the spots are smaller and more numerous.
Size, 2.50 x 1.80.

265. HUDSONIAN CURLEW. _Numenius hudsonicus._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and
wintering south of the United States.

This species is smaller (length 17 inches), darker, more grayish and has
a shorter bill than the preceding species. It also has white median and
lateral stripes on the top of the head. The nesting habits are the same
as those of the Long-billed species; the three or