The gay spring plumage of this species is easily remembered. In the gray winter plumage it is not so easy to recognize, but its somewhat curved bill is diagnostic.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
Ereunetes pusillus (Linnæus)
Description.—About as large as an English Sparrow; half-webs between the front toes, which are responsible for the bird’s name. Adults in spring: Upperparts dark brown, plumage margined with brownish gray and traces of reddish brown; rump grayish brown; upper tail-coverts blackish; tail gray, central feathers darkest; underparts white, with faint streaking on breast. Young birds in their first fall plumage have a somewhat scaly appearance above as a result of the buffy tips and borders of the feathers; their breasts are buffy, unstreaked; bill black; feet blackish. Length: A little over 6 inches.
Range in Pennsylvania.—A migrant, commoner in the fall than in the spring, and noted chiefly at Erie. It occurs during May and from late July or early August to late September.
The legs and feet of this species are black; in the Least Sandpiper they are greenish. The bill of this species is about straight; that of the Least Sandpiper is slightly decurved at the tip; in any age or plumage the Semipalmated Sandpiper may be recognized when in the hand by its partially webbed front toes.
SANDERLING
Crocethia alba (Pallas)
Description.—Three toes; a little smaller than Robin. Adults in summer: Head, back, lower throat, and sides of breast, rusty brown, the feathers edged with whitish and centered with black; wings with white area on basal half of inner flight-feathers; belly and narrow margins of tail-feathers white. Adults in winter: Gray above, white below, with white face and eye-ring. Young in first winter plumage: Whitish, streaked with black above; breast buffy; rest of underparts white. Length: 8 inches.
Range in Pennsylvania.—An abundant fall migrant at Erie from late July on; rare elsewhere.
GREATER YELLOW-LEGS
Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin)
Other Name.—Yellow-legs Snipe.
Description.—Larger than Robin; legs very long and yellow; bill long, slender, and straight. Adults: Upperparts black; head and neck streaked with white; feathers of back spotted and barred with whitish; upper tail-coverts and tail white, barred with black; underparts white, breast spotted and sides barred with black. Adults and young in winter: Similar but with less striking markings both above and below; sides only slightly barred; bill and eyes black. Length: 14 inches.
Range in Pennsylvania.—A fairly common migrant throughout, to be observed at small pools and larger bodies of water from mid-April until May and from early August to latter October; not often seen in flocks.
Greater Yellow-legs