THE SANDPIPER 



TRINGA HYPOLEUCA 



LuATnARAN, LuATHARAN-GLAS, Cajia-lt5bach (OacUc) ; Chevalier gxjig- 

 NETTE {French) ; Flitss-ttfer laufer [German). Local names : — 

 White-breasted Webt-weet, Willy Wicket, Water Junket, 

 Fiddler, Summer Snipe. 



One of the most pleasing sounds which herald the advance 

 of spring is the tuneful, whistling call of the Sandpiper. 

 It is mid-April before these birds of passage arrive on our 

 coasts, and almost immediately make their way up the 

 rivers and hill-burns where they have their nesting sites. 



They find a smiling country awaiting them. On the 

 river-banks birches are putting forth their foliage of that 

 tender green which they retain till Midsummer's Day is 

 past. The Oyster- Catchers are already at their summer 

 homes, and are occupied with the commencement of 

 household duties when the Sandpipers arrive. The 

 Goosanders are brooding in their dark nesting hollows, 

 and the young of the Mallard have by now seen the day. 

 Like the Oyster- Catchers, the Sandpipers make the journey 

 up the rivers in easy stages. They are already paired 

 when they arrive at that particular part of the stream 

 where last season they successfully reared their brood. 

 One such site I know well. To the north the ground 

 slopes up abruptly, shutting out the cold, snow-laden 

 winds off the high hills from the dwelling-place of 

 the Summer Snipe. When the Sandpipers reach their 

 destination the river is running full with the melting of 

 the snows. 



One can always distinguish this snow-water or " snaa 



278 



