The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-06-26
A REAL BIRD DISCOVERY
The Bartramian Sandpiper Redlscov
cred Near Bangor, Me.

That the bartramian sandpiper. a
oird many ornithologists have thought
70 be extinct in this section of the
country, still has its breeding places
in the vicinity of Bangor is establish
ed nest with eggs having been
found this week out Corinth way
Last Sunday Cyrus S. Winch, the
local taxidermist on Parkyiew aven-
lie, who has made deep study of
birds, and his young son We're out
in that vicinity following along
brook that gave possibility OF con-
tanning trout, when the peculiar whis-
tie OF the bird was audible TO Mr.
Winchs sensitive and trained ear. He
watched and listened, feeling positive
that the sound was that of bartra-
\ milan sandpiper, and, sure enough,
following a second whistle, sighted
the bird aloft almost directly over
his head
That was enough. The appearance
Of the bird the whistle and its fight
we're conclusive evidence to him that
the birds were breeding in that vicin-
ity A heavy shower prevented a
search at that time, so in company
with DR.. A. l.. Chase, the Main street
dentist, who is somewhat of an or
nithologist and has made quite a
study OF birds in recent years, he
returned to the place the first of the
week and commenced a search, and
they were soon rewarded by finding
nest containing eggs in pasture
where the birds HAD been previously
seen on the earlier trip. Somewhat
sceptlcal at first, DR.. Chase was con.
yinced of the specie OF the bird, and
both returned to Bangor well salts.
fed with their trip. Mr.. Winch had
written John l.. Childs Of New York
considered one of the greatest auth
critics on ornithology in this country
and with whom he had previously
had correspondence in regard to the
existence of the bird in this section
and Thursday Mr.. Childs came here
and visited the place with Mr.. Winch
Under a permit from the game com
mission OF the state the nest and eggs
We're removed and are now in the
possession of Mr. Winch.
For a number OF years ornitholog
lists have been in controversy ovel
the presence of the bird in this sec
ton. Seven or eight years ago they
breeded quite extensively in this vic
nifty, but of late years none hav,
been located. and this discovery dis
pels the belief OF many that the Dir,
had changed its breeding place {,
other parts OF the country.
This sandpiper is a beautiful Dir,
and excellent eating, and when pien
ttul furnished sportsmen rare shoot
ing. There is still an open season
on them. but the fact that they hav,
been so scarce OF late years has pu
an end TO the sport. The season 4
open during August and according q
Mr. Winch is too early. and one rea
son why they have been getting s.
scarce. The eggs found were prett
well incubated, and by the first O
August the young will be too smal
! to shoot Mr. Winch is In favor O
extending the season from ten to n
. teen days. and believes somethln
D. should be done along this line at IN
, next legislature.
y The haartramian sandpiper is abou
ten inches from beak to tip OF tai
J. and is OF dark ooloring. the head an
5 neck ching of bun and black. an
wings brownish. Beneath he
white. washed with bun on the breal
a and the sides are streaked with blacl
T. There Is also considerable barrin
g on the primaries and tail feathers
"a His call Is soft. booming whlstl
Is and his song a prolonged, mournfu
is mellow whistle. They arrive aboi
e April 10. and build their nests
IL grassy fields and pastures. The egl
le are little more than an inch Ion
m being large NJ one end and taperir
~ at the other They are pale clay CO
oi ored and are spotted and blotched.
lr The Bangor Commercial.