398 THE WHIMBREL AND THE SANDPIPERS. 



where at that season I have seen it in considerable flocks, and 

 where, according to M. von Wright, some few breed. By 

 far the larger portion of these birds, however, pass the 

 summer months in the more northern parts of Scandinavia, 

 as high up, M. Malm says, as the 70 of latitude. I myself 

 met with numbers in the vicinity of Muonioniska, in northern 

 Lapland. It is common in Denmark during migration, but 

 it is doubtful whether it breeds there. Migrates. 



The whimbrel frequents marshy and wooded districts, and 

 in the breeding season is not unfrequently seen to perch on 

 trees, more especially on the tops of lofty pines. Though 

 usually a shy bird, it at this time loses its natural timidity, 

 hovers about, and pursues with its shrill, whistling note, 

 the man or beast that approaches its nest. This is gene- 

 rally placed on a tussock in a morass, or on a heath. The 

 female lays four pear-shaped eggs, of an olive-green colour, 

 marked, more especially at the larger end, with black-brown 

 spots and blotches. 



The Dusky Sandpiper (Harlekins-Snappa, Sw. ; Totanus 

 fuscus, Leisl.) was not observed by us ; but is found in the 

 neighbouring Skargard, at least during migration. Though, 

 according to Nilsson, some few of these birds breed on the 

 coasts of the Baltic Sea, and on the*island of Gottland, the 

 larger portion undoubtedly nest in the far north. M. Malm 

 speaks of it as very common in all the morasses studding the 

 pine-forests of Lapland, as high up, he says, as the Scotch fir 

 grows to any size. It was most plentiful, he adds, in Enare 

 Lapmark, which borders on the Icy Sea. In Denmark it is 

 rather scarce. Migrates. 



The Redshank Sandpiper (Rod-bent Snappa, Sw. ; T. 

 Calidris, Bechst.) was common with us, more especially on 



