334 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Broa^billeb Sanbpiper, 



THE Broad-billed Sandpiper (Tringa platyrhyncha^ Tem- 

 minck) is a rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the 

 British Isles, and inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region. 

 The adult in summer has the general colour of the upper 

 plumage blackish-brown, with chestnut margins to most of 

 the feathers, with the exception of a few which are margined 

 with white ; primaries and central rectrices, blackish ; outer 

 tail-feathers, light ashy-brown ; eye-stripe, neck, breast, 

 flanks, and under tail-coverts, white, spotted with dark 

 brown ; remainder of under parts, white ; irides, hazel ; 

 bill, which is deep brown and lighter beneath, is wide and 

 flat and high at the upper base ; legs and feet, blackish. 

 Length, about six inches. 



