1G0 ILEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS. 



Remarks. — My opportunities of studying this species 

 have been excellent, as I have very frequently watched 

 it in the Outer Hebrides, where it is plentiful, and 

 where I have often found its eggs and young. All that is 

 recorded above is, therefore, exclusively the result of my own 

 observation. On referring to various works, I find nothing 

 additional of much interest. Montagu states that it " never 

 quits the sea-coast," and Mr. Jenyns that " it is never found 

 inland." This is not quite correct, for although it never 

 removes to a distance from water, it is, as I have shewn, 

 sometimes found far inland along pebbly rivers. 



This species is common on the shores of most parts of 

 Europe, and is found in Asia and Africa ; but its occurrence 

 in America is doubtful, for although Wilson figures it, his 

 description refers to Hsematopus palliatus, which Mr. Audu- 

 bon has described as the only species met with by him in 

 that country. 



