NESTING-SERIES OP BRITISH BIRDS. 179 



No. 114. COMMON SANDPIPER. (Tringoides hypoleucus.) 



This species, often called the " Summer-Snipe," is a regular visitor 

 to the British Islands, arriving in April and departing in September. It 

 breeds on the banks of almost every loch and stream in Scotland, and 

 is common in Ireland, M'^ales and the northern and western portions of 

 England, but less plentiful in the southern and eastern counties. Its 

 nest, of dry grass, leaves, etc., is placed in a hollow in the ground, 

 usually in the proximity of fresh water. The eggs are four in number, 

 and of a creamy-buff colour, finely spotted with grey and with two shades 

 of brown. 



Sutherlandshire, June. 



Presented by Colonel L. H. Irby ^ Captain S. G. Reid. 



No. 115. REDSHANK. (Totanus calidris.) 



A common species during the summer months throughout the British 

 Islands, but on the approach of cold weather the majority of birds move 

 southward, though some remain on the coasts throughout the winter. 

 It breeds in marshy districts and pastures, nesting in a hollow in the 

 ground among rushes, heather, or long grass. The eggs, which are 

 usually well concealed, are four in number, and are of a greenish-buff 

 colour, blotched and spotted with purplish-brown. 



The birds betray great anxiety when their nest is approached, and 

 endeavour to lead the intruder away by flying round and uttering their 

 shrill but plaintive note. 



Two nests are exhibited with the parent birds — one pair with eggs, 

 the other with young. 



(Cumberland, June. 



Presented by the Rev. H. A. Macpherson. 



No. 116. GREENSHANK. (Glottis nebularius.) 



An annual migrant to the British Islands, many remaining to breed 

 on the moors in the northern parts of Scotland. It feeds on small fish, 

 molluscs, worms, crustaceans, beetles, etc. The nest, a mere hollow in 

 the ground, thinly lined with dry grass or heather, and frequently 

 sheltered by a stone, is generally situated near the edge of a loch oi 

 other fresh water. The eggs, four in number, are of a greenish-buff 

 blotched and spotted with rich brown and purplish-grey. 



Sutherlandshire, 28th May. 



Presented by Colonel L, H. Irby ^ Captain S. G. Reid. 



