330 CHARADRIIDAi 
The Common Sandpiper is widely distributed as a nest- 
ing-species over the British Isles, except in the north- 
eastern section, which is less suitable to its habits, and 
where it occurs chiefly on migration ; it is also rather scarce 
as a breeding-species in South-east Ireland (Ussher). 
Geographical distribution.—Abroad, it breeds over the 
greater part of Northern and Temperate Kurope, down to 
the Mediterranean, while eastward it is found breeding 
over Northern and Temperate Asia, also in the Canary 
Isles. In winter its migration-range extends to Southern 
Asia, Africa, and as far south as Australia. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial_—Top of head, hind- 
neck, back, scapulars, wings, rump, and central tail-feathers, 
dusky greyish-brown, with darker streaks; the feathers 
on the back reflecting greenish and _ bronze-like tints ; 
secondaries, barred and edged with white, conspicuous when 
the bird is flying; primaries, brown ; outer tail-feathers, 
tipped and barred with brown and white; narrow whitish 
stripe over eye; cheeks, greyish; chin, whitish; throat, 
front of neck, and breast, greyish, thinly streaked with 
brown; lower breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts, 
white. 
Adult female nuptial.—Similar to the male plumage, 
but the markings are less pronounced. 
Adult winter, male and female——The back, scapulars, 
and wings, are nearly uniform greyish-brown, and the 
streaks on the throat are less distinct than in the nuptial 
plumage. 
Immature, male and female.—The feathers of the back 
and wings are finely edged with dark brown and bronze- 
buff, and are not so glossy as in the adult. The stripes 
on the throat are faintly marked, otherwise the plumage 
generally resembles that of the adult. 
Inipes. Black. 
BEAK. Brownish. 
Fret. Dark greyish-green. 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH .. 8 in. Female a little larger. 
WING ee sug ABor 42 
BEAK... sine Side velar 
TARSO-METATARSUS... 1 ,, 
BGG i. ad ieee 4 ieee 
