BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. 235 



beneath, the dark markings in the centre of the 

 feathers are broader and more spread over the sur- 

 face, and the whole is also tinted with buff-orange 

 on the belly, often approaching near to the shade of 

 reddish-orange incident to sienna. 



THE BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, T. RUFESCENS, 

 Vieilht. Becasseau rousset, Temm. Buff-breasted 

 Tringa or Sandpiper of British authors. Only 

 four specimens of this Tringa appear to have occur- 

 red in Britain up to the present time. These have 

 all been killed in the more southern districts of 

 England ; Scotland or Ireland being unable yet to 

 reckon it in their fauna. On the European Con- 

 tinent it also appears to be of rare and only acci- 

 dental occurrence, and we are not aware of its being 

 met with elsewhere in the Old World. In America, 

 its true country (though it is generally a scarce bird 

 even there), it extends from the Brazils* through 

 the Northern Continent; and Mr. Audubon con- 

 jectures that it may breed near the Arctic Circle, 

 having seen a wing in the possession of Captain J, 

 C. Ross. We have not access to a specimen, but 

 give Mr. Audubon's description, probably taken 

 from various birds, as he states it to be " by no 

 means rare, at particular periods, along the shores 

 of our eastern districts." The entire length is eight 

 inches, the weight two ounces and a half, the female 

 being somewhat larger. The " bill, dull olive- 

 * Notteren. 



