TOTANUS GLAEEOLA. 8 61 



in their markings ; the former is pale greenish stone, brownish stone, and olive stone. As examples of 

 opposite types, one egg is marked with large oblique blotches of rich sepia over faded spottings of bluish and 

 reddish grey, mostly collected at the large end, where there are fine streaks of sepia ; while the other is spotted 

 throughout with small blots and specks of lighter sepia over numerous spots of bluish grey, and almost 

 round the large end is a long streak or line of dark sepia-brown. In others the markings are intermediate in 

 size and number, and are chiefly located at the obtuse end. The dimensions of some are — 1"46 by 1"03, 

 1-43 by 1-0, 1-57 by 1-04 inch. 



During the breeding-season this Sandpiper makes a peculiar sound while flying about over the spot 

 where its nest is situated. Mr. Seebohm, who has heard this in Northern Siberia, is of opinion that it is 

 vocal, and says it resembles somewhat the note of the Wood- Wren. Mr. Hancock, on the other hand, believes 

 it to be made by the wings, in the same manner which he supposes the Snipe produces the drumming sound. 

 He publishes some information concerning it in his catalogue of the birds of Northumberland and Durham, which 

 I here give verbatim: — "The Wood-Sandpiper produces a sound perfectly comparable to the murmuring or 

 neighing of the Snipe. I have twice had the opportunity of hearing the Wood-Sandpiper ; once when I took 

 its nest at Prestwick Car in June 1853, and again at Gosforth Lake on the 6th of May, 1857. On the first 

 occasion I observed the bird for a long time flying in the air before the nest was found ; and afterwards while 

 watching it return, previous to shooting it. It kept at a considerable elevation, wheeling about and descending 

 at intervals in wide circles, with outstretched, quivering wings, like a Snipe, and producing at the same time 

 a similar tremulous note ; but the motion of the wings was more rapid and the sound was shriller and more 

 musical, amounting almost to a sort of whistle. This was repeated over and over again, and sometimes when 

 the bird was at a great elevation. When I heard it at Gosforth it was precisely under the same circumstances ; 

 but I failed to detect its nest, though I have little doubt it was somewhere in the neighbourhood." 



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