THE GREEN AND WOOD-SANDPIPERS 505 



Previous to 1897 the wood-sandpiper had been known to nest 

 only on the ground, but in that year Mr. H. L. Popham found the 

 species breeding in old nests of the fieldfare, in marshes by the 

 Yenisei river. Out of five nests found only one was on the ground. 

 The incubating birds were shot one whilst on the nest so there 

 could be no doubt as to their identity. These birds proved on 

 dissection to be males. 1 There appears to be no evidence as to the 

 incubating sex of the green-sandpiper ; but the presence of brooding- 

 spots on both sexes of the wood-sandpiper (cf. the " Classified Notes "), 

 together with the above, and other similar evidence, goes to show that 

 the male of this species, at any rate, bears a full share in the duties of 

 incubation. 



According to Dresser the wood-sandpiper in Northern Europe 

 breeds in large open marshes where there are no trees or bushes, and 

 where the soil is covered with grass and low aquatic herbage, but not 

 rank sedges and rushes. The nest, a shallow depression lined with 

 dry grass and leaves, is usually placed on a small mound a little 

 higher than the surrounding bog, which is often so wet and quaking 

 as to form very insecure footing. On this account the nests are 

 frequently very difficult of access. Dresser adds that this species is 

 partial to places where cattle graze, but that, so far as he knew, the 

 nest is never in a dry place away from water. 2 On the other hand, the 

 Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain tells me (in litt.) that he has seen pairs, show- 

 ing undoubted signs of breeding, on bits of perfectly dry moorland in 

 Jylland. 



The green-sandpiper nests chiefly in damp woodlands. Ponds in 

 woods, and alder-fringed streams, are favourite places. 3 



Little appears to be known of the courtship habits of these 

 species. The wood-sandpiper performs a nuptial or breeding season 

 flight and song ; but although a better-known bird, the green species 

 has not been observed to do either. Seebohm stated that he heard 



1 Ibis, 1897, p. 104. ' Dresser, op. tit., viii. p. 148. 



3 Ibid,, p. 140. 



