9 o BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



bird can be distinguished by bare patch of skin behind the beak. 

 A sociable bird, and very unlike the Crow in this respect. 

 Very sagacious, and waddles in a most engaging manner. 

 Plumage. — The plumage is generally supposed to be black, but the 

 violet reflections, when the bird is examined closely, are very 

 beautiful ; there is a white scurf at the base of the beak and 

 nostrils, this region being destitute of feathers; greyish-white 

 iris. Length. — Eighteen inches. 



SANDPIPER, COMMON (Tringoides hypoleucus) 



Local Names. — Fiddler, Sand Lark, Sand Snipe, Sandy Laverock, 



Shad Bird, Spotted Sandpiper, Summer Snipe, Weet Weet, 



Willy Wicket. 

 Haunt. — Lonely and secluded streams, inland waters, and marshy 



places; also the seashore. 

 Nesting Period. — May and June. 

 Site of Nest. — A small depression in 



the ground near water, generally 



well hidden ; also in turnip- and 



corn-fields. 

 Materials Used. — A little sedge, moss, or dry grass ; 



a very poor attempt is made to build a nest. 

 Eggs. — Four. Yellowish - white, blotched and 



spotted with brown and ash-grey. 

 Food. — Worms, insects, crustaceans, and small fry. 

 Voice. — Call, " a-chuck, chuck, chuck; " on wing, 



a plaintive " weet-weet," or "weet, weet, TT fig- 34- 



un. i«a-;« » Head of Common 



killy leepie. Sandpiper. 



Chief Features. — A Summer Migrant, arriving from 



Africa towards end of April, sometimes earlier. An active. 



engaging bird, distinguished by plump body, long beak and 



legs, and short tail. 

 Plumage. — Ash-brown above, with an olive gloss; white chin; pale 



ash on neck sides, and breast, streaked with dusky; white 



underneath and on extremities of outer tail-feathers. Length. — 



Eight inches. 



SCOTER, COMMON ((Bdemia nigra) 



Local Names. — Black Diver, Black Duck, Black Scoter, Whilk. 

 Haunt. — Seas and lakes. 



ng Period. — May and June. 

 Site of Nest. — An island in the sea or some lake. The nest is usually 



hidden among grass or other herbage. 



