( 250 ) SCOLOPACID^.. 



THE COMMON SANDPIPER 



SANDY LAVEROCK, SAND LARK, WATER LAVEROCK, SAND SNIPE, 



SUMMER SNIPE, KILLIELEEPSIE, KITTIE-NEEDIE, 



WILLY- WICKET, WEET-WEET. 



Tetanus hypoleucus. 



Along the river' s stony marge 



The Sand-lark chants a joyous song. 



WORDSWORTH. 



ABOUT the end of April or beginning of May this pretty 

 bird returns from its winter quarters in Africa to the sides 

 of the Tweed, Whitadder, Blackadder, Leader, Eye, and other 

 waters in the county, where it breeds in considerable num- 

 bers throughout the summer, departing southwards again in 

 September. 



Shortly after its arrival it may be seen in pairs haunting 

 the gravelly edges of the streams, and flitting from stone to 

 stone along their winding courses. The angler, as he wanders 

 by the river side amongst the beautiful woods and wild 

 flowers which border many of his favourite pools, loves to 

 hear the joyous song of the Sandpiper, which, intermingled 

 with the rippling sound of the water, falls pleasingly upon 

 his ear. If his basket be well filled, contentment reigns in 

 his breast as he rests upon some dry grassy turf for a few 

 minutes whilst recalling to mind the delightful words of 

 old Isaac : 



" I'll tell you, scholar, when I last sat on this primrose 



