BRITISH BIRDS. 91 



THE RED-LEGGED SANDPIPER. 



(Tringa Hr^ickii* Mont.) 



THIS bird measures from the tip of the beak to 

 the end of the tail, ten inches. The bill is an 

 inch and three-eighths long, black at the tip, and 

 reddish towards the base : crown of the head 

 spotted with dark brown, disposed in streaks, and 

 edged with pale brown and grey: a darkish patch 

 covers the space between the corners of the mouth 

 and the eyes: chin white: brow and cheeks pale 

 brown, prettily freckled with small dark spots: 

 hinder part of the neck composed of a mixture of 

 pale brown, grey, and ash, with a few indistinct 

 dusky spots; fore part and breast white, clouded 



* Although Montagu has named this bird Tringa Bewickii, it is 

 now believed to be the Ruff in one of its many diversified states of 

 plumage. 



