50 



All around the edge of the soft mud was dotted with its foot-prints. The length of the print 

 (i. e. of the middle toe and sole) was nearly one inch, its breadth rather more. Small indeed 

 were they when compared with the great tracks of the Heron. Its flight much resembles that of 

 a Common Sandpiper, as it skimmed along with drooping wings, flying low over the water. It 

 always spread its tail, which showed very white. On first rising its legs hung down; and it 

 elevated its wings in the act of alighting. Its little bill was pointed downwards. The rate of 

 flight was slow when not frightened ; but once it made a bold sweep, taking a high circuitous 

 course, and crossing the walled embankment at the end of the reservoir. After a few minutes it 

 returned and uttered, for the first time, a twittering note, which I shall not mar by attempting to 

 imitate in letters. At half-past one a second bird passed, flying very quickly, but, seeing me, went 

 on beyond the embankment. It was followed by the first, which, in its turn, was chased by a 

 Swallow." 



We have before us sixteen eggs of this Stint, from Dresser's collection, taken by himself in 

 Finland and by Wolley's collectors in Lapland, which vary but little in size, the largest measuring 

 l^jj- by f ^ inch, and the smallest l^j by f^-. In shape they are, like all the eggs of this tribe, 

 pear-shaped, and in colour pale stone-coloured, sometimes pale greenish, covered with purplish 

 brown underlying shell-markings, and dark reddish brown overlying surface-blotches, which often 

 collect at the larger end. Dr. E. Hey writes to us that the average size of fifty eggs from Lapland, 

 in his collection, is 27*9 by 20 - 4 millims., the largest measuring 28*75 by 21*5, and the smallest 

 26 - 5 by 19*5 millims. respectively. The breeding-season appears to be from the 24th to the 30th 

 of June, and the number of eggs always four. 



The description and figure of the breeding bird are taken from a specimen shot by Dresser 

 himself near Uleaborg, in Finland. The figure of the bird in winter plumage is drawn from an 

 example in Mr. J. E. Harting's collection, obtained by Mr. Swinhoe at Amoy, in November 186G, 

 while this stage of plumage is described from a Spanish specimen given us by Major Irby. For 

 the young bird which forms the subject of the description we are indebted to Mr. W. Meves. 



In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. Sharjpe and Dresser. 



a, ? . Near Uleaborg, Finland, May 26th, 1861 (H. E. Dresser), b, $ . Juckasjarvi, Lapland, May 24th, 1849 

 (A. Malm, e dono C. J. Sundevall). c, tf juv. Oland, August 20th, 1869 (TV. Meves). d, e. Near Gib- 

 raltar, February 14th, 1871 (L. H. Irby) . 



E Mus. J. E. Harting. 

 a. Amoy, November 1866 (R. Swinhoe). 



E Mus. J. H. Gumey,jun. 

 a. Pagham, Sussex, September 3rd, 1869 (R. B. Sharpe). 



E Mus. R. Swinhoe. 

 a. Amoy, December 25th, 1857, and February 12th, 1858 (R. S.). b, c, d. Amoy, January 1867 {R. S.). 



E Mus. Lord Walden. 

 a. N.-W. India, b. Maunbhoom, January 1865 (R. C.Beavan). c. Umballah, November 1866 (R. C. Beavan). 



