378 TEN YEAES IN SWEDEN. 



There is sometimes met with, in the south of Sweden, 

 for I have shot such on the coast of Scania, a larger form 

 of dunlin, which is about 9 in. long, with a wing breadth 

 of 15f in. ; carpus 5 in. ; tarsus 1 in. ; legs brown ; breast, 

 in the autumn, spotted like a thrush, 



Is one of the commonest of all the genus in Scandinavia, 

 and we meet with them in the summer, as well in the south 

 of Scania, as on the Lap fells. 



Schinz's sandpiper is said to have been detected breeding 

 in East Finland, but I think on questionable authority. 



202. T. PLATYEHINCHA, Tern. Bred Nabbad Strandvipa. 



The Broad-billed Sandpiper. D. F. 

 Less than the last; a little over 6 in. long; beak 

 longer than the head, 1 in. ; tarsus 7 1. ; tail shorter 

 than the wings ; first and second wing feathers alike, 

 and longest. 



The peculiar shape of the beak will always distinguish 

 this from any other of the class. This is round, and 

 when seen from above, much broader than that of the dunlin. 

 At the root, however, more high than broad, but in the 

 middle, depressed, round, more broad than high, rather 

 curved at the point ; under root of the beak reddish ; thin 

 black nasal furrow, short. The female has the beak nearly 

 double the size of that of the male. 



In plumage, has a great resemblance to the jack snipe, 

 especially in the long bronzed scapulars. The winter and 

 summer dress are much alike, but the latter is rather 

 greyer. 



Has always been considered very rare ' in Scandinavia, 

 but as I have shot the bird, not unfrequently, both in Scania 

 and the middle of Sweden, taken the eggs myself in Lulea 

 Lapland, and received them from East Finland, I do not 

 think it is so very rare. I do not, however, think that they 

 breed anywhere except in the very far north. Of all the 

 sandpipers this is certainly the shyest and most unobtru- 

 sive in its manners, and its custom of creeping through 

 the grass like a little mouse, causes it to be seen very sel- 



