SANDPIPER COMMON REDSHANK. 119 



speckled with ruddy dusky brown and grey. Much like Land- 

 rail's, only pyriform shape. Large for the bird's size. 



WOOD SANDPIPEE (Totanus glareola). 



An irregular visitor, chiefly to our east coasts on autumn and 

 spring migrations. Its nest has been found once or twice, but 

 it can scarcely be regarded as a breeding species. 



Haunts. The seashore, and swampy and muddy places 

 inland. 



In general appearance it much resembles the next species, 

 but may be distinguished from same by its white axillaries and 

 white shaft to first primary. Its note is a sharp " giff." 



GREEN SANDPIPER (Totanus ochropus). 



A not uncommon visitor on spring and autumn migrations. 

 It may occasionally breed here, although there is no proof 

 of it. 



Haunts. Inland waters and swamps near woods. 



Observation. Distinguished from the last by the blackish 

 axillaries narrowly barred with white, and shaft of first primary 

 dark. 



Plumage. Upper parts olive-brown, glossed with green and 

 spotted with white and dusky ; under parts white ; tail white 

 (conspicuous in flight), central feathers barred with black. Bill 

 dusky and light brown at base. Legs and feet greenish grey. 

 Length 9J in. Female, similar to male. Young, less glossed 

 with green above, and less spotted with white, which is dull. 



Language. A shrill yelping " tui-tui-tui." 



Habits. Very shy and wary. Flight rapid and erratic, and 

 rather like the Snipe's. Usually seen either alone or in pairs. 



Food. Insects, worms, freshwater snails, beetles, and small 

 Crustacea and mollusca. 



Nidification. Breeds in northern Europe. 



COMMON REDSHANK (Totanus calidris). 



Resident ; well-distributed in all suitable localities, especially 

 on the east coast. 



Haunts. Sea-coast, tidal flats, and saltings chiefly, but also 

 found inland. 



Plumage. Upper parts ash-brown, streaked and barred with 

 umber. Secondaries dingy white, noticeable in flight ; rump 

 white. Tail white, barred with blackish ; under parts white, 

 streaked with umber, and zigzagged with umber on flanks. 

 Bill black at tip, otherwise red. Legs and feet orange-red. 

 Length 11 in. Female, slightly larger and more rufous above. 



