BARTRAMS .SANDPIPER.— OOxMMON SAiSTDPIPER. 289 



Its note, uttered for the most part when flying, was a shrill 

 piping whistle." 



On p. 444, op. cit., Dr. E. Cones states that the nest is a 

 depression of the ground, with a leaf or two, or a few blades 

 of grass. The food of this bird is principally grasshoppers 

 ^nd other insects, especially beetles, and berries. It is stated 

 to be always fat, and delicious eating. 



Mr. Button, of Eastbourne, states in the ' Zoologist,' 

 p. 9118, that he purchased at a sale of birds belonging to the 

 late Mr. Wille, of Lewes, a beautiful specimen of Bartram's 

 Sandpiper, shot at Newliaven sometime between 1836 and 

 1840. This is the first instance of the occurrence of this 

 species in England on record. 



COMMON SANDPIPER. 



Totanits hypoleuciis. 



This species, known also as the Summer Snipe and the 

 Wagtail, is migratory, making its first appearance in April, 

 aud remaining till the end of September. It is seldom met 

 with on the sea-shore, but frequents the river banks, and 

 those of most of the larger ponds throughout the county; 

 and is said occasionally to breed with us. I cannot, how- 

 ever, confirm this, except that I once picked up a single egg, 

 which I still have, on a little strip of pebbly sand, left by 

 the tide of the Adur, but although I then watched a pair of 

 these birds for a long time, and again on the next day, I 

 failed to find the nest. When wounded I have seen the bird 

 swim and dive well, and it is then very difficult to catch. 

 It is very good eating, especially when potted. As it is 

 generally seen in pairs, it seems very strange that the nest 



