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THE COMMON TOTANUS. 



Totanus hypoleucus. 

 PLATE XV. 



Tringa hypoleucus, Linn., Penn., Mont., $c. Totanus hy- 



poleucus of moderns Chevalier guignettee, Temm. 



The Common Sandpiper of British ornithologists. Pro- 

 vincially Summer Snipe, Will -Wicket, Sand Lark, or 

 Sandy Lavrock. 



THIS pretty and lively species is one of the most 

 common, being- a regular summer visitant, many 

 pairs frequenting the banks of every stream and 

 river, or the margins of the Scotch lakes ; its pip- 

 ing note or whistle is one of the sounds watched 

 for by the ornithologist in spring, or recognised 

 by the angler as some pleasant companion returned 

 to his well-known haunts. It frequents the edges 

 of these waters, running along them, and picking 

 up aquatic insects, moving its body as it runs, 

 occasionally flitting along, whistling as it flies, 

 and perching on some stone, the top of a stake, 

 or bare branch by the water side. During the 

 pairing time, they exhibit more activity, chasing 

 each other along the stream, and, when alighting, 

 keeping their wings stretched above the back, 

 running for some time in this position, and now 



