98 



PLOVER GROUP 



second in Northumberland in 1S53, and a third in Elginshire in the 

 same year. As a rule, it is a ver\- rare visitor to Scotland and the 

 Isles, but a specimen was reported from the Orkne}-s in 1901. 



Although the wood-sandpiper presents a strong superficial resem- 

 blance to the preceding species, it may alwaj-s be distinguished by the 

 markings of the axillary feathers, which are white indistinctly barred 

 with brown, and the narrow black bars on the tail ; it is also smaller, 

 not exceeding 8^ inches, while the green sandpiper is not less than 

 9 inches in length. In summer the under-parts are dark brown with 



spots of white, which 

 form, notch - shaped 

 markings to the 

 edges of the feathers; 

 the scapulars and 

 inner wing - coverts 

 are edged with white, 

 and the head and 

 neck streaked with 

 the same ; and the 

 under-parts are 

 white, except the 

 breast and under 

 tail -coverts, which 

 are streaked with 

 brown, and the flanks, 

 which arc barred 

 with the same. The 

 development of uni- 

 formit}' in colour is 

 the onl\- change 

 which takes place in the winter-dress, this being brought about by the 

 loss of the white spots and dark streaks. In first plumage young birds 

 have the upper surface closely spotted with buff and white. The 

 down of the chick is chestnut-buff above, mottled with black, and 

 bufifish white below, passing into white on the abdomen. 



The name of wood-sandpiper has been given to this species on 

 account of its habit of perching on bushes, trees, or stakes — at least in 

 Europe, for this peculiarity docs not appear to have been noticed in India, 

 where this bird, together with the green sandpiper, is familiar to sports- 

 men under the name "snippet." In that country these birds, either 

 singly or in small flocks, are more commonly met with on the borders 



Rt> 5TU0IOS 



WOOD-SANDI'IPKk. 



