THE COMMON SANDPIPER 



TOTANUS HYPOLEUCU8. 



Upper parts ash-brown, glossed with olive; back and central tail-feathers 

 marked with fine wavy lines of rich dark brown ; a narrow white streak 

 over each eye; under plumage pure white, streaked at the sides with 

 brown ; outer tail-feathers barred with white and brown ; bill dusky, 

 lighter at the base ; feet greenish ash. Length seven and a half inches- 

 Eggs whitish yellow, spotted with brown and grey. 



To this bird has been given not inappropriately the name 

 of Summer Snipe. In form and mode of living it resembles 

 the Snipe properly so called, and it is known to us only 

 during summer. Unlike the last two species, it is a bird 

 of common occurrence. One need only to repair to a re- 

 tired district abounding in streams and lakes, at any 

 period of the year between April and September, and 

 there, in all probability, this lively bird will be found to 

 have made for itself a temporary home. Arrayed in un- 

 attractive plumage, and distinguished by no great power of 



