166 COMMON SANDPIPER. 



a brief membranous edging along their whole length. Claws, 

 dark brown. 



The young are at first covered with down of a greyish 

 brown colour above, with black streaks upon the head, and 

 a black list down the back, the under parts being white. 

 In the course of three weeks they are able to fly. The 

 young of the year have the white streak over the eye more 

 distinct. The neck in front, white, with the dark streaks on 

 the sides only. The back with the feathers edged with 

 reddish buff, spotted with black. The greater and lesser wing 

 coverts, darker. 



