196 



grassy borders of the smaller pools and lakes in 

 morasses. The nest, like that of the Snipe, is 

 built in a thick tuft of grass, and contains four or 

 five eggs, generally mottled with chocolate colour 

 over the whole surface. 



SANDPIPEE, BUFF-BREASTED. 



TEINGA BTTFESCENS, Selby. 



This species is said not to be uncommon on the 

 eastern coast of North America. It was first 

 discovered by Veillot in the district then known 

 as the Territory of Louisiana. It is probable 

 that after coursing along the shores of the Missis- 

 sippi, and thus penetrating inland, it proceeded to 

 its northern destination, in the vicinity of the sea- 

 coast to breed. It has been obtained in a few 

 instances in England. This species is often here 

 associated with the Pectoral Sandpiper, which it 

 resembles very much in size and bill, though per- 

 fectly distinct from it in plumage. Indeed it is 

 readily distinguished from all other birds of this 

 genus by the peculiar markings of the under sur- 

 face of the wings. The food of the Buff-breasted 

 Sandpiper consists of land and marine insects, 

 principally grasshoppers. 



