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Genus TOTANUS. 



Tringa apud Brisson, Orn. v. p. 117 (1760). 



Limosa apud Brisson, torn. cit. p. 276 (1760). 



Scolopax apud Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 245 (1766). 



Totanus, Bechstein, Orn. Taschenb. ii. p. 284 (1803). 



Glottis apud Koch, Syst. d. Baier. Zool. p. 305 (1816). 



Limicula apud Leach, Syst. Cat. M. & B. Brit. Mus. p. 32 (1816). 



Actitis apud Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 560. 



Erythroscelus apud Kaup, Natiirl. Syst. p. 54 (1829). 



Gambetta apud Kaup, ut supra (1829). 



Bhyacophilus apud Kaup, op. cit. p. 140 (1829). 



Helodromas apud Kaup, op. cit. p. 144 (1829). 



Uiomis apud Kaup, op. cit. p. 156 (1829). 



Guinetta apud G. K. Gray, List of Gen. of B. p. 68 (1841). 



Tringoides apud G. R. Gray, op. cit. p. 88 (1841). 



This genus is extremely widely distributed, being represented in the Palsearctic, Ethiopian, 

 Oriental, Australian, Nearctic, and Neotropical Regions, six species being resident and common 

 in the Western Palsearctic Region. Several other Nearctic species have been recorded as having 

 occurred in the Western Palsearctic Region ; but after a careful examination of the data on 

 which they have been included, it appears to me to be advisable to exclude them. These 

 species are Totanus fiavipes (Gmel.), Totanus solitarius, Wils., and Totanus macularius, all of 

 which have been included in the British list. The first and last of these species may possibly 

 be allowed in our list ; but, so far as I can ascertain, there is no occurrence of either on record 

 that is not open to doubt ; and as regards Totanus solitarius, the only record is that of one said 

 to have been obtained on the Clyde "some years ago " {fide R. Gray, Ibis, 1870, p. 292) ; and as 

 this bird so closely resembles the Wood-Sandpiper it may very possibly have been a case of 

 mistaken identity. It may be distinguished by having each tail-feather broadly barred with 

 black across both webs, and the upper tail-coverts greenish brown instead of white. Another 

 American Sandpiper, Totanus semi-palmatus, is said to have occurred in Scandinavia ; but this 

 has proved to be a misstatement, as this bird has never been procured there. 



The Sandpipers belonging to the genus Totanus frequent both the sea-coast and inland 

 marshes, pools, and the banks of rivers, &c, being found inland during the breeding-season, and 

 on the coasts usually during the seasons of passage. They walk and run with ease, and have a 

 rapid flight. They feed on small insects, worms, minute mollusks, &c, and frequently wade 

 in the water in search of their food. When wounded they will swim and even dive with ease. 

 Their call-note is a clear whistle, either uttered when the bird is on the wing or when it is 

 standing or running on the ground. They nest on the ground, usually near water ; but one 

 species {Totanus ochropus) has the peculiar habit of depositing its eggs in the deserted nest of 

 some other bird, selecting such as are built in trees, frequently at some altitude. They deposit 

 four eggs, which are somewhat variable in coloration, some being greenish grey or dull stone- 



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