SPECIES 2. TRINGA SOLITARM. , 

 SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 

 [Plate L VIII. Fig. 3.] 



PEALE'S Museum, JVo. 7763.* 



THIS new species inhabits the watery solitudes of our high- 

 est mountains during the summer, from Kentucky to New York; 

 but is no where numerous, seldom more than one or two being 

 seen together. It takes short low flights; runs nimbly about 

 among the mossy margins of the mountain springs, brooks and 

 pools, occasionally stopping, looking at you, and perpetually 

 nodding the head. It is so unsuspicious, or so little acquainted 

 with man, as to permit one to approach within a few yards of 

 it, without appearing to take any notice, or to be the least alarm- 

 ed. At the approach of cold weather, it descends to the muddy 

 shores of our large rivers, where it is occasionally met with, 

 singly, on its way to the south. I have made many long and 

 close searches for the nest of this bird, without success. They 

 regularly breed on Pocano mountain, between Easton and Wil- 

 kesbarre, in Pennsylvania, arriving there early in May, and 

 departing in September. It is usually silent, unless when sud- 

 denly flushed, when it utters a sharp whistle. 



This species has considerable resemblance, both in manners 

 and markings, to the Green Sandpiper of Europe ( Tringa OcA- 

 ropus}; but differs from that bird in being nearly one-third less, 

 and in wanting the white rump and tail-coverts of that species; 

 it is also destitute of its silky olive green plumage. How far 

 north its migrations extend I am unable to say. 



The Solitary Sandpiper is eight inches and a half long, and 

 fifteen inches in extent; the bill is one inch and a quarter in 



* Tolanus glareolus, ORD'S reprint, vir, />. 57. Totanus cklaropygius, VIKILL 

 Prince Musignano, Gen. .AT. A. Birds. 



