AM Verbeek 1966 Calidris bairdii (2) The area had just opened up from the snow, and it is thus possible that this male had just arrived and had claimed this patch as his territory. There was no female nearby, of which I am sure as I walked over the whole patch and those nearby. 15 June Baird Sandpipers must have moved in recently. They were the most active displayers today at the Drum Area. At times there were 3 males in the air, all singing at once, and not chasing at all. 16 June The Bairds are still much engaged in sexual chases, involving two males and a female. They are also brassily advertising their presence by display flying. 19 June The Bairds are still actively engaged with singing and chasing. Today I saw 5 birds in hot pursuit of each other. Who is who? If you follow such a chase you usually end up with two birds, suggesting that 4 males are in pursuit of a female. This female may be a recent arrival. 20 June Witnessed a fight between two males. I do not know what led up to the fight, but when I noticed the birds for the first time they were on ground jumping at and on each other. Several times one of the birds stood on the back of the other, while the bird at the bottom held its wings up. The strange thing of it all was the absence of a third bird. Also when the fight stopped the birds remained near each other and then flew off together. During the fight feathers were flying. It all had the appearance of copulation by force - rage on the tundra.