280 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA 



Mediterranean Countries, Africa and S. Asia. This bird lays 

 its eggs in old nests of Thrushes, Pigeons, etc., in trees in 

 swampy places. 



Totanus solitarius solitarius (Wilson). Solitary 

 Sandpiper. 



(^5 Resemble "T. ochropus" and have the shaft of ist 

 primary brown, but central upper tail coverts and central, tail 

 feathers are like the upper parts, the others being broadly barred 

 brown and white, and white bars on axillaries are broader. 

 Wing 128-134. Tarsus 31-32. Bill 30-31. Nesting habits are 

 like those of "ochropus." 



An American species, rare in Europe ; six have been recorded, 

 all in Britain. 



Totanus glareola (L.). Wood Sandpiper. Ger. Bruch- 

 wasserlaufer ; Ital. Piro-piro boschereccio ; Swed. Gronbena. 



^ $ summer. Resemble "T. ochropus," but upper tail 

 coverts show a few brown marks or spots and white on rump 

 is much narrower ; tail white with narrow brown bars ; lower 

 back is like mantle, axillaries and under wing coverts white with 

 few pale brown bars ; shaft of ist primary white. In winter, no 

 white spots on upper parts, throat grey brown without spots. 

 Bill black, greyish at base below. Legs and feet pale olive 

 green. Winged 119-127, ? 121-130. Tarsus 34-39. Bill 25-30. 



Breeds. — Europe north of a line from N. France across to 

 Urals, and across N. Asia ; once or twice in Britain. Occurs 

 throughout S. Europe on passage ; occasional British Isles ; 

 winters in Africa, S. Asia, Australia. Nests usually on ground, 

 but recorded by Popham as nesting in trees like " ochropus." 



Totanus incanus brevipes Vieillot. 



$ ^ summer. Above uniform brownish grey ; beneath white 

 with wavy bars of grey on sides of head, neck, chest and flanks. 

 In winter, chin and abdomen are white, and breast is grey 

 without bars. Bill black, yellowish at base below. Legs and 

 feet ochre yellow. Wing 157-168. Tarsus 32-35. Bill 36-40 (H.). 



An Asiatic form of "T. i. incanus," which breeds in 

 Alaska. Of very rare occurrence in Europe, twice obtained in 

 England. 



