118 BRITISH BIRDS. 



by a perfectly distinct species, Totanus macularius, which, as it has 

 occurred in the British Islands, is treated of in this volume. 



The Common Sandpiper arrives in England about the middle of April, 

 but it does not reach its breeding-grounds in Scotland before the last week 

 of that month. At Gibraltar it swarms in March and April, and Irby 

 states that the migration is at its height about the 15th of the latter 

 month. About this time it also passes Malta on its way northwards, being 

 common there from March to May. It arrives in France, Belgium, and 

 Denmark in April, but a little later in Sweden, and in the extreme north 

 not until June, when the streams are free from ice and snow. It leaves 

 England in September and October, which appears to be about the date of 

 its general passage southwards. The return migration at Gibraltar lasts 

 through August, September, and October. 



The haunts of the Common Sandpiper or " Summer Snipe," as it is 

 frequently called in this country, are the margins of inland lakes and 

 streams, large reservoirs, and mountain-lochs. It loves the sandy banks 

 of the upland streams, and is especially fond of frequenting those 

 portions that are gravelly. It chooses the wildest parts of the country, 

 and is found in the same localities as those frequented by the Dipper. 

 High up amongst the mountains its melodious cry may be heard from the 

 shingly margin of the stream, or the bird may be seen not unfrequently 

 perched on some rock surrounded by the water. Even here the Sandpiper 

 shows a partiality for certain haunts. The Dipper loves the streams in 

 their wildest mood, and the more they roll and toss over the rocky boulders 

 the more he seems at home ; but the Sandpiper prefers their slow-running 

 reaches and sandy driftwood-covered islets, where the shingly or oozy rush- 

 grown banks aiford it the haunt it needs. It is an unobtrusive little bird, 

 but its habits and actions are full of interest. It may be seen running 

 nimbly along the sands or tripping over the mud-banks, ever in motion, 

 exploring them in search of food. It often wades into the shallows or 

 perches on a large stone near the edge of the water. Although by no 

 means a shy bird, it is sufficiently wary not to allow a very close approach, 

 unless the greatest caution is observed. It is incessantly in motion. 

 Nimbly it runs over the muddy banks, skirting the very edge of the 

 rippling stream, or pausing a moment, with head held suspiciously erect, 

 as if aware of the presence of danger. All the time its little body seems 

 quivering with excitement, full of that nervous movement so observable 

 in the Wagtails, and its short tail is repeatedly jerked up and down. If 

 alarmed, it utters its shrill but musical call-note of weet or wince, and 

 hurries along over the water to alight on some other part of the bank where it 

 can be more secluded. Its flight is rapid, performed with quick regular 

 beatings of the wings, which are much bent; and often, just before it 

 reaches the end of its flight, it skims along and then alights with erected 



