GREEN SANDPIPER. 215 
occurs generally about the first week in May, when 
our own residents are occupied with their first sitting of 
eggs. 
A specimen killed at Yarmouth, in April, 1862, and 
which is still, I believe, in Captain Longe’s possession, 
was at first mistaken,* from the light colour of its legs 
and certain peculiarities of plumage, for the yellow- 
shanked sandpiper (Totanus flavipes), but on comparison 
with skins of the latter bird from America, it proved to 
be only 7. calidris in an immature and somewhat ex- 
ceptional state, and I have since met with a similar 
example. 
As an article for the table, the redshank is of but 
little repute at the present day, being sold by the 
gunners for about two shillings a dozen; and even Sir 
Thomas Browne alludes to it as “of common food, 
but no dainty dish.” The numerous entries, however, 
of this species, in the L’Estrange accounts, together 
with plover, spowes, and other shore-birds, show that 
they were generally eaten at that time; and in the 
Northumberland “ Household Book” they are ordered 
“to be bought at Princypall Feestes for my Lordes 
owne Mees after j4- ob. [three half-pence] the pece.” 
TOTANUS OCHROPUS (Limneus). 
GREEN SANDPIPER. 
The question as to the breeding of the Green Sand- 
piper in England is stilla disputed point amongst British 
ornithologists, but as soon might we expect an English 
* T have an impression, although I cannot now find the refer- 
ence, that this bird was recorded at the time, in the “ Field,” as the 
true Totanus flavipes. 
