328 CHAEADKIID^] 



AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 



TOTAL LENGTH ... 11-5 in. Female slightly larger. 



WING 6-6 



BEAK 1-2 



TARSO-METATARSUS 1'75 



EGG 1-8 x 1-35 in. 



COMMON SANDPIPER. Totanus hypoleucus (Linnseus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, ' Birds of Great Britain,' vol. iv, 

 pi. 58 ; Dresser, Birds of Europe,' vol. viii, pi. 563 ; 

 Lilford, * Coloured Figures,' vol. v, pi. 45. 



This sprightly little creature is familiar to many as the 

 ' Summer Snipe.' It usually arrives about the middle of 

 April, and during the summer distributes itself widely over 

 the British Isles as a breeding-species. About the south- 

 east of England it occurs chiefly on migration, but it breeds 

 freely throughout Scotland, including the Western Islands, 

 the Orkneys, and Shetlands, and in most parts of Ireland. 

 In September old and young betake themselves to more 

 southern climes, save a few stragglers which may linger 

 until November. In midwinter it is rare in our country. 



This little ' wader ' is not a bird of the sea-coast, although 

 in July and August, when the young are strong on the wing, 

 family parties, and even small flocks of fifteen to twenty 

 birds, may be seen foraging amidst the pebbles and seaweeds 

 of our tidal estuaries. I have noticed Common Sandpipers 

 along several parts of the sea-coasts prior to their departure 

 in autumn. 



This species delights in the quietude of clear running 

 brooks, the shores of which are fringed with clean gravel 

 and sand. Its haunts are little intruded upon save by the 

 trout-angler, with whom it is a great favourite on account 

 of its dainty form and attractive movements. Like others 

 of its genus (Totanus) it is a rather shy, yet a demonstrative 

 little bird ; it is seldom quiet for an instant, and may be 

 seen on the ground, darting to and fro, ever and anon 

 jerking its tail up and down, at the same time protruding 

 and retracting its neck. 



The Common Sandpiper is not gregarious. In spring 



