158 WADING BIRDS. 



retiring in summer to the deep morasses of Sweden, Rus* 

 sia, and Siberia, and extending its vernal migrations as far 

 as Iceland. One or two specimens have also been obtained 

 at Hudson's Bay; but, as yet it can only be considered an 

 accidental straggler in North America. In autumn, they 

 visit the milder parts of the old continent, and are at that 

 season seen occasionally in England, remaining from about 

 the middle of September to the end of April. It mostly 

 frequents marshes, pools, and shallow streams, preferring a 

 residence near fresh water to the sea-coast, where it is but 

 rarely seen. It is at all times a solitary bird, associating 

 only by pairs, or merely accompanying their brood. When 

 disturbed, like the other species, it makes a very shrill and 

 whistling note as it takes to wing. Its food consists of small 

 worms, flies, and other soft-bodied insects. 



According to Temminck, they breed in the central parts 

 of Europe, making a nest in the sand, or in the herbage, 

 near to fresh waters, laying 3 to 4 eggs of a whitish green, 

 v/ith brown spots. 



The White-Tailed Tatler from Hudson's Bay, was about 8 inches 

 9 lines long. The bill from above 1 inch 4 lines. Tarsus 1 inch 3 

 lines. — The upper plumage dark hair-brown with green reflections, 

 dotted on the edges of the scapulars, tertiaries, and a few of the les- 

 ser coverts with whitish triangular specks, each spot having a dark 

 margin. Primaries blackish-brown. Tail and its coverts white ; 3 

 broad black bars towards the ends of the central tail feathers, fewer 

 on the more exterior ones, and merely a spot or two on the two outer 

 pairs. Line over the eye and cheeks whitish, with dusky streaks ; 

 a dark stripe on the lores. Front of the neck, breast, and flanks 

 pale dusky-brown, with dark central stripes ; the remainder of the 

 under plumage pure white. Wings rather longer than the tail. 



