2 66 Allen's naturalist's library. 



British Islands, also took place in May, when a specimen was 

 obtained on Heligoland. The British record is as follows : — 

 Cambridgeshire i, Norfolk 4, Sussex i, Cornwall and the Scilly 

 Islands 4, Lundy Island i, Cumberland i, Dublin i, Belfast 2. 



Range outside the British Islands. — This species breeds in Arctic 

 America and winters to the South, ranging as far as Amazonia, 

 Brazil, and Paraguay. 



Hahits. — These, says Mr. D. G. Elliot, "resemble those 

 of Bartram's Sandpiper {Bartra/nia longicauda), and like that 

 bird it prefers fields and grassy plains rather than the wet and 

 swampy lands frequented by other Sandpipers. During the 

 breeding season they indulge in curious movements, one of 

 which is to walk about with the wing stretched out to its 

 fullest extent and held high in the air. Two will spur like 

 fighting cocks, then tower for about thirty feet with hanging 

 legs. Sometimes cne will stretch himself to his full height, 

 spread his wings forward and puff out his throat, at the same 

 time making a clucking noise, while others stand around and 

 admire him. They are silent birds at all times, and, the breed- 

 ing season over, they quietly disappear, never assembling in 

 flocks, and by the beginning of August all have gone south. 

 When fired at, this Sandpiper will fly but a short distance, 

 performing a half circle along the shore, and alight again near 

 to the place from which it started, or, if on the plain, drop 

 down again at a little distance and run about seeking for 

 insects, without exhibiting any signs of alarm. Its note is low 

 and weak, merely a tiveet once or twice repeated." 



Nest. — Is like those of most waders, merely a depression in 

 the ground, lined with a little moss. 



Eggs. — " Four in number, usually deposited with the small 

 ends down. They are ashy or olive-drab with stone-grey under- 

 lying markings, smaller at the pointed, larger and more con- 

 fluent at the rounded, end." 



THE TATTLERS. SUB-FAMILY TOTANIN^.. 



The Tattlers agree with the Snipes and Sandpipers in 

 having the nostril produced nearly to the end of the bill, and 



