78 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



GREEN SANDPIPER (Totanus ochropus). 



A not uncommon visitor on spring and autumn 

 migrations. It may occasionally breed here, although 

 there is no proof of it. 



Haunts. — Inland waters and swamps near woods. 



Observation. — Distinguished from the last by the 

 blackish axillaries narrowly barred with white, and shaft 

 of first primary dark. 



Plumage. — Upper parts olive brown, glossed with green 

 and spotted with white and dusky ; under parts white ; 

 tail white (conspicuous in flight), central feathers barred 

 with black. Bill dusky and light brown at base. Legs 

 and feet greenish grey. Length 9I in. Female, similar 

 to male. Young, less glossed with green above, and less 

 spotted with white, which is duU. 



Language. — A shrill yelping " tui-tui-tui." 



Habits. — Very shy and wary. Flight rapid and 

 erratic, and rather like the Snipe's. Usually seen 

 either alone or in pairs. 



Food. — Insects, worms, freshwater snails, beetles, 

 and small Crustacea and mollusca. 



Nidification. — Breeds in Northern Europe. 



GREENSHANK (Totanus canescens). 



An annual but uncommon visitor on spring and autumn 

 migrations. Breeds in some numbers in Scotland 

 and the adjacent islands. 



Haunts. — Marshes, brackish waters, and mud-flats. 



Plumage. — Head and neck greyish white, streaked 

 with blackish brown : mantle and secondaries almost 



