THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 6 1 



throughout the summer ; they do not feed on our 

 mud flats like most of the other Sandpipers, but 

 appear to confine themselves to the marsh ditches, 

 probably attracted by the small fry and insects that 

 abound in such places. On being disturbed their 

 rapid flight, white rumps and loud whistle enlivens 

 the marsh. 



WOOD SANDPIPER. 

 Tetanus glareola (Gmel.). 



It was after a storm of thunder and lightning and 

 a tremendous heavy rain at night, which happened 

 on the 26th July, 1867, that on the following day a 

 flock of about one hundred Wood Sandpipers 

 appeared in our marsh, five of them were shot, other 

 single birds were afterwards met with. 



COMMON SANDPIPER. 

 Totanus hypoleucus (Linn.). 



More common on their return journey in the 

 autumn than their forward northern journey in the 

 spring, when their visits are few. In the former 

 season they frequent our marsh ditches with the 

 Green Sandpiper, but do not appear to associate with 

 it. On being disturbed the latter flies high, the 

 Common Sandpiper flies low along the water and 

 round the bend of the ditches ; their stay is not so 

 prolonged as that of the Green Sandpiper. 



