casually south.
It breeds in the marsh grass near the shores and along the banks of
streams.

260. RUFF. _Machetes pugnax._

A common European species, occasionally found on the Atlantic coast of
North America. It is a species remarkable for its pugnacity during the
mating season; in size and appearance it is about like the Upland
Plover, with the exception of the "ruff" which adorns the neck and
breast of the male bird.

261. UPLAND PLOVER. _Bartramia longicauda._

Range.--North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding
from middle United States, northward.

A handsome bird, 12 inches in length, generally known as the "Upland
Plover," from its habit of frequenting dry side hills, where it feeds
upon grasshoppers and worms. It is a favorite bird with many sportsmen.
It builds a nest of grasses, on the ground in a tuft of grass in the
middle of fields. The three or four eggs have a buff ground and are
blotched with yellowish brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data.--Stump Lake, N.
D., June 10, 1897. Nest of grass, lined with wool, under a tuft of grass
left by the mower. Collector, Alf. Eastgate.

[Illustration 158: Wandering Tattler. Ruff. Upland Plover.]
[Illustration: Buff.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 157

[Illustration 159: Walter Raine.
NEST AND EGGS OF UPLAND PLOVER.]

Page 158

262. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. _Tryngites subruficollis._

Range.--Interior of North America, breeding from the Hudson Bay region
to the Arctic coast.

A buffy colored species, with a peculiarly marbled back. Size 8.5 inches
long. It is an upland species like the last. The nests are scantily
lined depressions in the ground. The eggs have a grayish white ground
and are boldly blotched with rich brown and chestnut with fainter
markings of lilac. Size 1.45 x 1.05. Data.--Cape Smythe, Alaska, June,
1900. 4 eggs in a hollow in dry spot on a marsh. Collector, H. H.
Bodfish.

263. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. _Actitis macularia._

Range.--Whole of North America from Hudson Bay southward, breeding
throughout its range.

A small wader about 7.5 inches in length, with brownish gray upper
parts, and white underparts thickly spotted with blackish, especially on
the breast and flanks. This is the most abundant of all the shore birds,
and its "peet-weet" is a familiar sound to every country boy. It has a
peculiar habit of continually moving its tail up and down, when at rest
on a stone or when running along the shore; f