261 75 



Limicola platyrhyncha, Temm. 



The occurrence of this species within the boundaries of Fin- 

 mark has not been sufficiently established, though it very probably 

 ranges up to Alten and Syd Varanger. 



The extensive swampy tracts near Fokstuen, on the Dovre, 

 are the oldest and best known habitat of this bird in Norway. 

 It is however a rather common bird on all the fells in the sou- 

 thern parts of the country. On the Dovre, I have found it every 

 season for some years past resident on stretches of exceedingly 

 marshy ground, with a sparse overgrowth of Carices. Their numbers 

 however are anything but great. In June 1838, Mr. Lagesen „ suc- 

 ceeded in killing" 26 of these birds, and in taking as many nests ; 

 but this would be hardly possible at the present time. 



When searching for food, they hurry hither and thither, with 

 nodding head and bill pointing obliquely to the ground. If flushed, 

 tfiey will utter a few mellow, flute-like tones, at intervals mingled 

 with a harsher note. From the stomachs I have taken the remains 

 of insects only, Harpalini, Bembidia and divers larvse. 



The size of the female would appear slightly to exceed that of the 

 male. The total length of the former was from 176 to 182mni, whereas 

 the males measured from 172 to 176 mm; other parts in like propor- 

 tion. The left testis was twice as large as the right. 



A nest found hereabouts, on the 9th June 1872, contained 4 

 eggs, which had been sat upon for about eight and forty hours. 

 It was lined with a few straws, and located in one of the most 

 swampy spots, the eggs being half immersed in the cold water. The 

 eggs measured from 32 to 33 by 22 mm ; on a whitish ground they 

 are thickly covered with reddish brown spots, which collect and 

 form a zone at the bigger end. One of the eggs was lighter 

 (the spots less numerous) than the rest. The old birds kept in 

 the neighbourhood of the nest and displayed considerable anxiety. 

 Incubation-spots were found in both sexes. 



The breeding time would appear to be about the middle of June, 

 fresh eggs have, however, been found as late as the 24tii June, and 

 young birds not fully fledged at the end of July (by Mr. Dann). 



