88 TOTANUS CHLOROPYGIfS. 



250. TOTAXUS CnLOROPYClVS, VIF.ILL. 



TRINGA SOLITABIA, WILSON. SOLIT A i; V v\M)I'IPER. 



WILSON, PLATE LVIII. FIG. III. 



THIS new species inhabits the watery solitudes of 

 our highest 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 yon, and per- 

 petually 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 alarmed. 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 Wilkesbarre, in Penn>\ Ivania, arriving 

 there early in May, and departing in September. It is 

 usually silent, unless when suddenly flushed, when it 

 utters a sharp whistle. 



This species has considerable resemblance, both in 

 manners and markings, to the ureen sandpiper of 

 Europe (trinfja ochropus ;) but differs from that bird 

 in being nearly one-third less, and in wanting the 

 u-hite rump an'd 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 length, and dusky; nostrils, 

 pervious, bill, fluted above and below; line over the 

 eye, chin, belly, and vent, pure white; breast, white, 

 spotted with pale olive brown ; crown and neck above, 



