COMMON SANDPIPER. 231 



ence, as a rule, to smaller streams. They have a marked 

 partiality, however, as I have myself observed, for sandy 

 or gravelly soils, being thus attracted even to a short 

 boat "staithe," or a pathway leading to some marsh-mill 

 from the main stream. 



When walking in the early summer by the banks 

 of the river, or pulling leisurely along its winding 

 " reaches " the presence of this elegant little bird is 

 detected rather by the ear than the eye, as its clear 

 piping notes resent intrusion on its haunts. If not too 

 closely pressed it runs nimbly on before us, flirting its tail 

 up and down, and calling at intervals, or stopping now 

 and again to pick up some morsel of food ; whilst every 

 action of its body evinces a nervous excitability, remind- 

 ing one not a little of the wagtail tribe. If approached 

 too near the pace is suddenly quickened, and spreading 

 its wings and tail for flight the dark bronzed tints of 

 the upper plumage contrast strongly with the pure white 

 of the under surface, as it twists and turns in the air, 

 uttering again a loud wheet, wheet, as it speeds on its 

 way to safer quarters. 



Why the Common Sandpiper should not breed in 

 the Eastern Counties,* is as difficult to account for 



* In Mr. A. G. More's paper " On the Distribution of Birds in 

 Great Britain during the nesting season" (" Ibis," 1865, p. 436) this 

 species is stated to be " scarce in the south during the breeding 

 season, and apparently wanting in several of the southern and 

 eastern counties. * * * Is reported to breed only occasionally in 

 Cornwall, but regularly in North and South Devon and Somerset. 

 In Dorset it becomes more rare." Mr. Knox describes it as "breed- 

 ing regularly in Sussex," though scarce. It is " doubtful " if it 

 breeds in Kent, and "appears to be wanting in several of the 

 eastern and southern districts." Mr. J. H. Gurney, when staying 

 at Pembroke in 1867, was also informed on good authority that the 

 common sandpiper nests regularly in that county, selecting the 

 banks of ponds for the purpose. At low tide they are constantly 

 to be seen in the town of Pembroke feeding on the shores of the 

 estuary (a branch of Milford Haven) which runs through the town. 



