GREEN-SHANK, 81 



194. WOOD 8AND-'PIP'ER.--(Tota.nit8fflarcola). 



This Sandpiper resembles the last in some degree, and the 

 two Lave been sometimes looked upon as varieties of the same 

 species. It is not by any means a frequently occurring visitor, 

 though it seems to be admitted that it is more than probable it 

 sometimes breeds in this country. Mr. Hoy's account of its 

 habits and nesting peculiarities, as observed by himself in Dutch 

 Brabant, is quoted at length by both Mr. Yarrell and Mr. Hew- 

 itson. He says, " The nest is generally placed at a short distance 

 from the water, among stunted heath, or scrubby plants of the 

 Bog Myrtle, or among coarse grass and rushes. It is placed in 

 a hollow, and formed of dry grass and other plants. The eggs 

 are four in number." " They are pointed in shape, of a pale 

 greenish white, spotted and speckled, particularly over the broad 

 end, with dark reddish brown," 



195. COMMON SAND-PIPER (Totanushypoleuca). 



Summer Snipe, Willy Wicket, Sand Lark. A pretty little 

 bird enough, and seeming to be pretty extensively diffused, 

 though not a numerous species any where. It is commonly seen 

 running briskly along by the water edge of streams or lakes, or 

 perhaps flitting along as disturbed by your sudden invasion of its 

 haunt. Unlike the Dipper, which may constant ly be seen sitting 

 quite still near the edge of the stream, the Summer Snipe is 

 always in motion. It makes a very rude nest of dry grass in 

 some hole in a bank not far from water, where the shelter and 

 concealment of sufficient herbage is available, and lays in it four 

 eggs, which vary often in colour and spots but are usually of a 

 yellowish-white, witli blotches and spots of deep brown or 

 ordinary brown. The eggs are sometimes laid on the bare 

 ground among shingle or collections of small pebbles. Fig. 5, 

 plate Fill. 



196. SPOTTED SAND-PIPER (Totanus macnlarius). 



A visitor, but one of the rarest and most casual of all our 

 feathered visitors. 



197. GREEN-SHANK (Totanus glottis). 

 Cinereous Godwit, Greenlegged Horseman. I used to meet 

 with it occasionally in the early autumn on the Essex Saltings, 

 and remember thinking I had got a prize the first time I shot 

 one, and noticed its slightly upturned bill. It is only rare as a 

 species, and not known positively to breed any where much south 

 of the Hebrides. The nest is said to be like that of the Golden 

 Plover or Lapwing, consisting only of a few blades of grass or 

 sprigs of ling, placed in a hollow in the soil. The eggs like so 

 very many of those characterised by the pyriform shape peculiar 

 to the Grallatores are placed with their pointed ends together 



