142 



8 



somewhat resemble those of the Wood-Sandpiper in character, but are larger and more sparingly 

 spotted. Of three clutches I possess, the eggs in two are delicate greyish sea-green, sparingly 

 marked with pale purplish grey shell-markings and dark brown surface-spots, these latter being 

 rather more profusely collected round the larger end. The third clutch of eggs resemble some 

 varieties of the common Sandpiper's, but are larger, and the spots are, as a rule, smaller. In size 

 the eggs in my collection, all of which are from Pomerania, vary from l^f by 1^ - to lf^ by 1-^ 

 inch. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., points out to me that some Green Sandpipers appear to have a 

 peculiar smell ; Mr. Lubbock describes it (Faun. Norf. p. 74) as " a most fulsome muddy smell ;" 

 and Mr. Cordeaux says that it is a semiaromatic odour resembling musk. Colonel Irby also states 

 that it almost always has a strong musky odour ; but Mr. Gurney adds that, although he has 

 shot many specimens, and has had them often sent to him in the flesh, he could never detect any 

 such smell ; nor do I recollect to have observed it in any of those which I have shot. 



The specimens figured are an adult female and a young bird in down, and are those above 

 described. 



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



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a. Pavda, Ural, July 22nd, 1868 (Sabanaeff). b, $ . Malaga, Spain, June 24th, 1871 (H. Saunders), c. 

 Santander, Spain, June 20th 1876 (Col. Irby). d. Biskra, Algeria (Fairmaire). e. Greece (Leadbeater). 

 /, J . Guiken, Asia Minor, March 27th, 1867 (Robson). g, 6 . Smyrna, August 10th, 1871 (Kriiper). h. 

 Tonghoo, Burmah, March 1866 (Whitely). i, pull. Wermland, Sweden, June 3rd, 1869. k, pull. 

 Wermland, June 16th, 1873 (Meves). 



