46 cassell's book of birds. 



were, on my taking out the egg to examine it, the little things, which could not have been out of their 



shells more than an hour or two, set off out of the nest with as much celerity as if they had been 



running about for a fortnight. 



The Common Sandpipers appear in Central Europe towards the middle of April or beginning 



of May, and by July have reared their young, and commenced flying about the country 



previous to leaving it, which they do about the second or third week in September. Their migrations 



are carried on in small parties of from six to twenty individuals, and take place at night ; the birds 



descending, when day breaks, to seek for food upon a river-bank or similar locality, and usually 



sleeping for a few hours at noon. Should the chosen spot prove attractive, it is not uncommon for 



these parties to remain for several days before resuming their journey. Sandy localities, covered with 



bushes or reeds, are the favourite resorts of these birds ; the latter affording a safe retreat in case of 



danger or alarm, to which their timid, cautious disposition renders them peculiarly susceptible. 



Naumann mentions that a garden-seat placed about four feet above the surface of a pond in his 



garden, and thickly overhung with branches and surrounded by bushes, was regularly selected as a 



sleeping-place by all the Sandpipers that crossed his grounds during their migrations. The 



movements of this species are in many respects unlike others of its kind •, it stands erect, walks with 



an active tripping step, and constantly whips its tail while in motion. The flight is swift and easy, but, 



unlike that of most other Sandpipers, is seldom carried on at any great height in the air, the bird 



usually sweeping so close over the surface of the water as almost to wet its wings ; only when finally 



quitting a spot does it rise far from the earth, and rapidly seeks another hunting ground. If much 



alarmed, it betakes itself to the water, and either swims or dives to a safe distance from the place of 



danger. Although remarkably shy, this species appears readily to distinguish those who are likely to 



molest it ; and exhibits such adroitness in seeking concealment as frequently to escape even from the 



clutches of a Sparrowhawk. It seldom associates with other shore birds ; and the breeding season 



once over, the pairs usually separate, and, like their companions, go their own way, only joining their 



fellows if the chosen spot be favourable for food, without any reference to each other's presence. As 



the season for incubation approaches, the male birds exhibit much excitement, and display themselves 



to the greatest advantage, darting through the air in zigzag lines, and trilling forth their call in the 



hope of attracting the attention of their desired mates. This call, which commences in a low tone, 



gradually swelling and dying away, is exchanged at other times for a high, clear, resonant, piping note. 



The nest is formed of twigs, reeds, stubble, or dry leaves, and is placed at a safe distance from the 



water, beneath a sheltering shrub or bush. The pear-shaped eggs vary somewhat in size and form, 



and have a delicate, glossy, reddish yellow shell, marked and spotted with various shades of brown. 



Both sexes brood, and exhibit great uneasiness when disturbed ; should they be deprived of an egg 



they at once desert their post. The young are hatched in about a fortnight, but remain a little longer 



under the mother's wing, after which they are led forth to seek their own food, and in four weeks are 



fully fledged and self dependent. The parents display much anxiety for the safety of their little family, 



and, if molested, express their alarm by loud cries ; whilst the young at once hurry to a place of 



concealment, and remain so quiet as to render their discovery almost impossible without the aid of a 



dog. Insects, larva?, and worms form the usual fare of the Common Sandpipers, and in search 



of these they often display most amusing dexterity, gently approaching such active-winged prey 



as flies and gnats, with every sign of extreme caution, and then snapping up the desired morsels 



by an almost unerring stroke. 



THE GREENSHANK. 



The Greenshank {Glottis cJuoropus) represents a group distinguished by their long, slender, 

 hard beak, which curves decidedly upwards, and their high green feet, which have the toes connected 



