828 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



back slightly streaked, and the wings, scapulars and upper tail-coverts barred 

 with dark brown ; wings margined externally with white ; throat and breast 

 whitish, slightly streaked with olive-grey ; rest of the under parts white. 



Iris dark brown ; bill and feet greenish-grey. 



Total lengtli 7 inches, wing 4-30, culmen I'lO, tarsus -90. 



Adult female resembles the male, but is slightly larger. 



Observations. — The metallic gloss varies from bronze to greenish. 

 Individuals differ a good deal in this respect, as also in size, and the wing- 

 measurement may be said to vary from 4 to 4-75 inches. 



This small Sandpiper is abundant throughout Tunisia during the 

 greater part of the year, and is to be met with in all suitable localities. 



In Algeria and Marocco it is also plentiful in winter and on 

 passage, and according to Favier, is the commonest of all the Sand- 

 pipers around Tangier. 



The species has a most extensive range, and is to be met with 

 throughout Europe, and the greater part of the Asiatic and African 

 Continents, as well as in Australia. It breeds in suitable localities 

 throughout Europe, as far south as the basin of the Mediterranean 

 and, apparently, in the Canaries. In Asia it has been met with at an 

 elevation of 17,000 feet and breeds in the Himalaya. 



The present species is chiefly to be found on the banks of rivers, 

 ponds and inland waters, and less often on the sea-coast. Sandy and 

 gravelly banks are specially dear to it, as are also slow-running 

 streams. It is usually to be met with in pairs or in small 

 parties and often singly. It flies swiftly, skimming low over the 

 surface of the ground or water and often swerving from side to side 

 a good deal in its flight. On shore it is most active, and runs with 

 celerity. Its note is rather shrill and piping. Its food consists 

 chiefly of worms, insects and their larvip. 



TOTANUS OCHROPUS (Linnaus). 

 GREEN SANDPIPER. 



Tringa ocrophus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 250 (1766). 



Totanus ochropus, Temm. Man. d'Orn. p. 420 (1815); Malherbe, Faune 



Orn. de I'Alg. p. 32 (1855); Koenig, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 282; id. J.f. 0. 



189.3, p. 93 ; Whitaker, Ibis, 1894, p. 100. 

 Helodromus ochropus, Loctie, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 323 (1867). 

 Helodromas ochropus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxiv, p. 437. 



