BIRDS OF THE STREAMS 77 



Language. A pleasant, melodious, tremulous whistle, 

 like " wheet," thrice repeated. 



Habits. Restless, always running nimbly along the 

 margin of some stream, or flying rapidly from one point 

 to another. It swims and dives well. If neither 

 flying, running, nor swimming, it stands bobbing its head 

 and jerking its stumpy tail at intervals. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, worms, small Crustacea, 

 &c. 

 Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. On shingle and unconcealed, or among grass 

 or rushes at the water's edge. 



Materials. A little moss and a few dead grasses or 

 leaves. 



Eggs. Four. Reddish buff or yellowish white, 

 spotted and speckled with ruddy dusky brown and grey. 

 Much like Landrail's, only pyriform shape. Large for 

 the bird's size. 



WOOD SANDPIPER (Totanus glareola). 



An irregular visitor, chiefly to our east coasts on 

 autumn and spring migrations. Its nest has been 

 found once or twice, but it can scarcely be regarded as a 

 breeding species. 



Haunts. The sea-shore, and swampy and muddy 

 places inland. 



In general appearance it much resembles the next 

 species, but may be distinguished from same by its 

 white axillaries and white shaft to first primary. Its 

 note is a sharp " giff." 



