76 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



brown, and black, with metallic green and purple 

 reflections. In winter the reddish brown is replaced 

 by a greyish tinge. Neck and breast spotted ; under 

 parts white. Bill dusky at tip and lighter at base. 

 Legs and feet grey. Length 7J in. Female, slightly 

 larger and duller. Young, no reflections on upper parts. 



Language. — Much like the Common Snipe. 



Habits. — Much like the Common Snipe. 



Food. — Much like the Common Snipe. 



Nidification. — Breeds in Northern Europe. 



COMMON SANDPIPER or SUMMER SNIPE 

 (Totanus hypoleucus). 



April to September. Fairly common, breeding pretty 

 abundantly in Wales, Northern England, and in Scotland 

 and Ireland. Breeds also in other districts, though less 

 commonly. 



Haunts. — Gravelly margins of lakes, swiftly running 

 mountain-streams, &c. 



Plumage. — Upper parts bronze-brown, flecked and 

 minutely barred with umber-brown. Three outer pairs 

 of tail-feathers well tipped with white (conspicuous in 

 flight) and barred with black. Chin and under parts 

 white ; neck and breast pale ash, streaked with dusky. 

 Bill dark brown, lighter at base. Stilt-like legs and feet 

 greenish grey. Length 8 in, Female, rather smaller 

 and less well-marked. In winter, upper parts more 

 uniform in colour. Young, upper parts margined with 

 buff, and no dark streaks on throat. Nestling : hair- 

 brown above, with black stripe through eye, and another 

 from bill over head and down centre of back ; dingy 

 white below ; legs and feet greenish. 



