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TOTANUS SOLITARIUS-WILSON. 



SOLITARY TATLER. 



Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa soliraria, Wils. Amer. Orr.- 

 Totaniis chloropygius, lionap. S>n. 

 Toiaiius ciiloropygius. Green-rump Taller, Sw. & Rich. 

 Greeu-rump Taller, Totanus chloropygius, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill greenish-black, slender, when measured 

 along the gap one inch and a quarter ; length of tarsi one and an 

 eighth ; upper parts deep greenish-brown, with a few small spots 

 of white ; fore neck grayish-brown ; rest of the lower parts white. 

 Adult with the bill slender, longer than the head, greenish ; tarsi 

 and feet lighter green : chin white ; a line of dull white from the 

 base of the upper mandible passing over the eye; upper part of 

 the head, hind neck, and a portion of the breast, grayish-white, 

 streaked with dusky; fore neck, sides of the head and neck light- 

 er; upper plumage greenish brown, the feathers tipped with white, 

 giving it a spotted appearance on the back ; tail and upper tail cov- 

 erts barred with black and white; under tail coverts Avhite — a few 

 spots of dusky on the outer feathers ; wings long, curved ; prima- 

 ries brownish-black ; coverts greenish-brown ; body slender ; toes 

 long and slender, outer connected by a membrane half way to the 

 first joint ; lower part of the breast and abdomen pure white; legs 

 rather long. Length eight inches and a half, wing five and one- 

 eighth. 



This species, at different seasons, locates in various parts of the 

 United States, and is said to advance up to the remote northern 

 woody regions of the Fur countries. On Longlsland it is not very 

 abundant, yet by no means rare. Singly or in pairs, it is distribut- 

 ed along the creeks that are affected by the tide, and it is observed 

 about the pools and rivulets more distant from the sea. 



It but seldom visits the beach, and is rarely met with en the salt 

 marshes in the bay. It takes up its abode near the habitation of 

 man, preferring his society to that of the numerous species of Trin- 

 ga that flock on the shores. Not being considered game by sports- 



