312 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. - 



escape, and it is very rarely that they are even obliged 

 to have recourse to their wings to expedite their retreat. 

 The flocks of Sanderlings afford a pretty sight on a 

 sunny morning, when in their evolutions on the wing 

 they eccentrically wheel and twist in the bright light, 

 looking not unlike silver clouds against the clear blue sky. 



The cry of this species is a kind of chirping call, low 

 and short, but shrill. Its flesh is very palatable ; and 

 being plump little birds, they are worth the trouble of 

 shooting and cooking. 



The iris is dark brown, the bill, legs, and toes shining 

 black. 



[Specimens of the Sanderling contained in Mr. Andersson's 

 last collection were in winter dress; but one, a male obtained 

 at Walwich Bay on May 18th, had begun to assume the nuptial 

 plumage, though only to a slight extent. ED.] 



366. Gallinago major (Gmel.). Solitary Snipe. 



Scolopax major, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 320. 

 Gallinago major, Gurney, in Ibis, 1868, p. 261. 



[Mr. Andersson's last collection contained a single specimen 

 of this Snipe (a male), obtained in Ondonga on the 6th of 

 February, 1867. 



This species is a regular migrant to Natal, and also occurs, 

 but less numerously, in the Republic of Trans Vaal ; it arrives 

 in Natal in September or October, and leaves in January or 

 February. 



Mr. Andersson's MS. contains the following note, which 

 may perhaps relate to this species, but which, I think, more 

 probably refers to Gallinago macrodactyla, Bon. (= cequatorialis, 

 Riipp., =nigripennis ) Bon.) : "Once, whilst encamped at Oman- 

 bonde, awaiting the falling of the rains to enable me to penetrate 



