8 12 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



625.— Heteractitis incanus, Gmelin. 

 AMERICAN GBEY-RUMPED SANDPIPER. 



Figure. — Baird, Cassiii, and Lawrence : Birds of North America, 

 pi. 88. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiv., p. 453. 



(Jeugra phical Dixtrihutioii. — Nortli Queeuslaud, across Oceania, to 

 the Galapagos Islauds, and migi'ating along tdie Pacific coasts of Nortli 

 America to Alaska. 



Nest and Eggs. — Uudescribed. 



Observations. — I believe the time H. incanus, or American Grey- 

 riunped Sandpiper, occasionally touches the north-eastem shores of Aus- 

 tralia. 



Although the eggs are yet undescribed, this tnily " Wandering 

 Tattler " is supposed to breed, in its beautifully-barred j>limiage, in 

 Alaska and the Aleutian Islands^ then passes along the coast of California 

 and the Galapagos Islauds to winter among the Polynesian Islands. 



Some yeai's ago I received a specimen of this bird from the guauo 

 depot of Messrs. Grice, Simmer & Co., of Melboiu-ne, at Maiden Island, 

 ini the Mid-Pacific. I forwarded it to Mr. Seebohm, who replied with the 

 following interesting remai-k : — "The Sandpiper is Totanus incanus, 

 which breeds in Alaska, but can only be a wmter visitor to Maiden, 

 lliis you can prove by the date. It is in newly moidted breeding dress. 

 If ifc IS going to Alaska to breed the date ought to be March, April, or 

 May. If it is going to breed in the southern hemisphere the date is 

 probably about September." The skin was drab-coloiu'ed above breast, 

 and flanks speckled with brown. When fresh the legs and feet should be 

 pinkish-red. In fact, in size and structiu'e the bird resembles the Red- 

 shank of the British Islands. 



626. — Tringoides hypoleucus, Linnaeus. — (528) 

 COMMON SANDPIPER. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi., pi. 35. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiv., p. 456. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Various. 



O'eugrajj/iicat Distribution. — Whole of Australia and Tasmania; 

 also Now Guinea, Africa, India, <kc., migrating to the north of the Old 

 World to breed. 



Nest. — A mere hole, lined with diy grass and moss, or witiiout any 

 lining; situated amongst herbage u{K)n the banks of a stream, in a gravel 

 l)cd amongst pebbles, or in irregularities ujion the surface of a bare rock 

 (Butler). 



