CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 109 



GREEN SANDPIPER, 



Case 118. 



It is only of late years that naturalists have been 

 acquainted with the singular fact that this Sandpiper 

 lays its eggs in the deserted nests of Wood-pigeons, 

 Thrushes, and other birds, in the branches of trees at 

 a considerable elevation from the ground. It is believed 

 that a few pairs annually rear their young in the 

 northern counties of England, though the greater 

 number proceed to the north of Europe on the approach 

 of summer. 



I have once or twice met with this species in winter; 

 it is, however, most common in Great Britain during 

 spring and autumn. 



The Green Sandpiper is at all times very difficult to 

 observe closely, taking wing on the slightest signs 

 of danger, and generally flying to a considerable 

 distance. 



Two of the specimens in the case are old birds shot 

 in the South Marshes, near Yarmouth, in August, 

 1871 ; and the third is a young one killed near Hick- 

 ling Broad, in July, 1873. 



BARTAIL GODWIT.— (Summer.) 



Case 119. 



Years ago the arrival of the " May-birds," as these 

 Godwits were called, used to be anxiously looked for 

 by all the shore gunners round our southern and eastern 

 coasts. On their first appearance they were generally 

 exhausted by their long flight, and fell easy victims to 

 their numerous assailants. 



