332 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



in Marocco or tlie west coast of Africa. Tlie species, however, is 

 to be found all over North-east Africa ; and its southern line of 

 migration apparently extends down the east side of that continent, 

 for examples of it have been obtained from Natal and Cape Colony. 



In Western Europe this Sandpiper is only to be met with as an 

 occasional straggler, but it is not uncommon in some parts of 

 South-eastern Europe, and its range extends over a considerable 

 portion of Asia, and to Australia. 



The Marsh-Sandpiper is to be found, as a rule, on the sides of 

 lakes and marshes as well as on the banks of streams and ponds, 

 and may often be met with in considerable numbers, though at other 

 times singly or in pairs. It is not at all shy and may be approached 

 with ease. It flies well, and is very active and quick-footed, as well 

 as an expert swimmer. It is rather a silent bird, and its notes are 

 not often heard. 



TOTANUS CALIDRIS (Liniireus). 

 COMMON REDSHANK. 



Tringa calidris, Limi. Syst. Nat. i, p. 252 (17G6). 



Totanus calidris, Bechst. Om. Taschcnb. ii, p. 284 (1803) ; Malherhe, 



Fauiie Om. ih VAUj. p. 32 (18.55) ; Koenuj, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 279 ; id. 



J. f. 0. 1893, p. 92 ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxiv, p. 414 ; 



Erlnvgcr, J. f. O. 1900, p. 68. 

 Gambetta calidris, Lochc, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 321 (1867). 



Dcscriiotion. — Adult male, spring, from Djerba, South Tunisia. 



Upper parts greyish-brown, the crown, neck and back striped, and the 

 scapulars and long secondary plumes barred with blackish ; short secondaries 

 white, forming an alar bar ; primaries blackish, the outermost with a white 

 shaft; lesser wing-coverts brown; larger wing-coverts brown, tipped with 

 white ; lower back and rump white ; upper tail-coverts and tail white, barred 

 with blackish, the median rectrices greyish-bufl', barred with dark brown- 

 under parts white, the throat, neck, breast and flanks heavily striped with 

 blackish. 



Iris brown ; bill red and blackish towards the tip ; feet red. 



Total length 11 inches, wing 6, culmen 175, tarsus 190. 



Adult female resembles the male. 



In winter the plumage is duller and browner, and the underparts are 

 almost entirely without stripes. 



