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 May, 1917 THE HOME LIFE OF TIIE BAIRD SANDPIPER 81 preference. 3iacFarlane (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xv, 1891, p. 426), however, states: "On 24th June, 1864, a nest containing four eggs was found in the Barren Grounds in a swampy tract between two small lakes, and was composed of a few decayed leaves, placed in a small cavity or depression in the ground, shaded by a tuft of grass." Murdoek (Rept. Exp. Pt. Barrow, 1885, p. 112) says: "The nest was always well hidden in the grass, and never placed in marshy ground or on the bare black patches of tundra, and consists merely of a slight depression in the ground thinly lined with dried grass. All the eggs we found were obtained from the last' week in June to the first week in July, a trifle later than the other waders." Brooks (loe. eit.) remarks: "Two nests were found, each containing four eggs and about one quarter incubated on June 12 and 14, 1914. Murdoek found them nesting rather later than other waders at Point Barrow, but .my experience at Demarcation Point was quite the opposite, for here they were the first to breed. A female taken June 2, had a fully formed and colored egg about ready to lay. Both of the above nests were like the other sandpipers, and lined Mth dry willow leaves, but the cavities were less deep than those of the Semipahnated Sandpiper." At Griffin Point, less than fifty miles to the eastward of Demarcation Point, [he first set of eggs (fresh) was taken on June 24. The last set was found July II, with the four eggs nearly ready to hatch. Murdoek speaks of the nests being well concealed and always hidden in the grass. In those nests which we found, no attempt had been made at such concealment, as they were placed absolutely in the open, with nothing to cover or conceal the eggs at all, and the nests so shallow that the tops of the eggs were ahnost or quite level with the surround- ing grass. Far frown being conspicuously exposed thereby, however, the eggs were shielded from discovery in the most effective manner possible, for in color and markings they blended so perfectly .with the brown tundra that a person could easily look directly at them from a distance of six feet and still not be able to see them. This method of nesting seems to be the most effective way of escaping one great danger at least, namely, the notice of the countless Jaegers, both Parasitic and Pomarine. These robbers subsist almost entirely during the breeding period on the young and eggs of other birds, and cruise continually back and forth over the sandpipers' nesting ground, looking for the least telltale feather, bit of wind- blown down, or other object which might afford a clue to the whereabouts of a nest. On June 26 I found a nest of the Baird Sandpiper by nearly stepping on the bird. It contained three fresh eggs, and was in the usual exposed position on the tundra, there being only the slightest of depressions lined with dead wil- low leaves which were also well strewn over the tundra in general at this partic- ular point. I marked the nest by placing a fresh chunk of turf on a little mound about ten feet to one side. Upon taking my departure I noticed a Pomarine Jaeger following in my wake, and as I looked back the bird spied the upturned clod and promptly lit and began to walk around on the ground to see the cause of the disturbance. It is perhaps needless to add that the three eggs were gone when I returned. I found that the only way to mark down a nest was byplaeing two guides in a line, keeping them at least fifty yards away from the nest site. All of the complete sets of eggs which have come under my notice have con-.