1063. Tringa bairdi

1063. Baird’s Sandpiper.
TRINGA BAIRDI.
Tringa bairdi (Coues), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1861, p. 194 ; (Sharpe), Cat. B. Br. Mus. xxiv. p. 570 ; Ridgway, p. 157 ; Tacz. F. O. Sib. O. p. 922.
Male ad. (N. America). Upper parts generally blackish margined with sandy and rufous buff ; the crown greyish buff streaked with brownish black ; the rump and upper tail-coverts black, marked with warm sandy buff, the lateral coverts white, banded with dusky brown ; tail greyish brown, the middle feathers rather darker and longer ; under parts white, the throat, breast, and flanks washed with buff and finely striped with brown ; bill black ; legs and feet slaty black ; iris brown. Culmen 1.0, wing 4.7, tail 2.2 tarsus 0.95 inch. In winter the upper parts are greyish brown with dusky mesial streaks. The young bird has the dorsal feathers narrowly margined with dull white, and the streaks on the throat are less clearly defined.
Hab. America generally, breeding in the high north and migrating for the winter down to Chili and Argentina ; the Chukche Peninsula, N. Siberia ; has occurred in Damaraland, and once in England.
In general habits it does not differ from its allies, but is said to be generally seen solitary or in pairs. It breeds late in June, the nest being a depression in the ground, scantily lined, and well hidden in the grass. The 4 eggs are light creamy buff, sometimes tinged with rusty, thickly speckled and spotted with deep reddish brown or chestnut, and measure about 1.30 by 0.93.