178 British Birds, 



hatched in the neighbourhood. The nest is said to 

 be placed " on a bank, or among gj-ass, on the side of 

 a stream," and the eggs, four in number, to be of a 

 greenish ground-colour, spotted with different shades 

 of brown, light and dark, and with gray. 



WOOD SANDPIPER— (r^/^;/?/j- glarcold). 



This Sandpiper resembles the last in some degree, 

 and the two have been sometimes looked upon as 

 varieties of the same species. It is not by any means 

 a frequently occurring visitor, though it seems to be 

 admitted that it is more than probable it sometimes 

 breeds in this country. Mr. Hoy's account of its 

 habits and nesting peculiarities, as observed hy him- 

 self in Dutch Brabant, is quoted at length by both 

 Mr. Yarrell and Mr. Hewitson. He says, " The nest 

 is generally placed at a short distance from the water, 

 among stunted heath, or scrubby plants of the Bog 

 Myrtle, or among coarse grass and rushes. It is 

 placed in a hollow, and formed of dry grass and other 

 plants. The eggs are four in number. They are 

 pointed in shape, of a pale greenish white, spotted 

 and speckled, particularly over the broad end, with 

 dark reddish brown." 



COMMON REDSHANK— (r^^^;^?/^ calidris). 

 Redshank Sandpiper, Teuke, Pool Snipe, Sand 

 Cock, Red-legged Horseman, Red-legged Sandpiper. 



One of the most familiar of all our birds to me in 



my youth. Many long days have I spent amid their 

 haunts on the Essex Saltings. Their nests are very 



