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specimen at Zoulla, on the 13th of March; and Von Heuglin says it is found singly all over 

 north-eastern Africa, Kordofan, and Abyssinia ; he procured one as late as the end of April at 

 Galabat. Mr. Ayres has obtained the Marsh Sandpiper at Natal ; and Mr. Layard has recently 

 brought home with him a specimen from the Cape Colony. 



The late Mr. Andersson forwarded many specimens from Damaraland, and we are indebted 

 to Mr. J. H. Gurney for the following extract from the MS. in his possession : — 



" Not very common ; frequents small streamlets and freshwater springs. I have frequently 

 shot them at Otjimbinque, Damaraland." 



Mr. Ayres writes respecting its occurrence in Natal as follows : — 



" The only specimens I have seen of these graceful birds have been at the edges of small 

 pools on the roads some ten or twelve miles from the coast. If disturbed they most frequently 

 take a large circle and return to the same pool, just as a Snipe would." 



On the west coast of Africa, Dr. Hartlaub records its occurrence in Ashantee and the Gambia. 



From the list of localities above given, it is tolerably clear that the home of the present 

 species is not, as Mr. Bree states, in the north of Europe (where the bird never occurs), but its 

 breeding-haunts appear to be the countries of South-eastern Europe and Southern Siberia ; for 

 we do not consider the supposition of its nesting in the south of France to be sufficiently well 

 authenticated. Naumann and others, moreover, erroneously state that it is found in America; 

 but probably in every instance T.Jlavipes has been mistaken for it. In the course of its autumn 

 migration it visits India ; and probably the eastern line of passage extends through the Malay 

 archipelago as far as Australia, and its western line to the south of Africa. It is, most likely, on 

 its return to Europe in the spring that specimens are captured on the west coast of Africa, while 

 on the way to their breeding-localities ; at this time, also, they occur along the countries of the 

 Mediterranean. 



In its general appearance the present bird bears a resemblance to the Greenshanks (Totanus 

 glottis), but is a much more slender-built bird, and is exceptionally long-legged. Respecting its 

 habits in different parts of Europe, we give the following notes. 



Naumann writes as follows : — 



" Now and then it is also found on the rivers ; but we have only observed it by standing 

 water, which is also confirmed by other observers. Thus the flat shores of lakes and large ponds 

 are the places where, during migration, it is sometimes to be found. 



" An old birdcatcher from the salt lake of Mannsfeld knew it well, but said it was a very 

 rare bird ; he described it minutely to my father, and also sent in the only bird of this species he 

 had procured for years 



" All its movements are neat and sprightly, and may thus be called pretty. Its walk, as also 

 its flight, is quick, the latter almost Swallow-like. On the wing its movements resemble those 

 of other Sandpipers ; and like them it only extends its wings full out and somewhat downwards 

 from the body when it progresses a short distance, sailing, without closing the wings, hori- 

 zontally through the air (as it does, for instance, when it utters its call-note during the breeding- 

 season), and quite differently from when it shoots down from the air in a slanting direction, 

 during which it does not flap the wings, but still keeps them closer to the body than in its usual 

 flight, when it flaps them often and strongly. When in a cheerful mood during the breeding- 



