200 



6 



In Dresser's collection are six eggs of this bird, obtained near Archangel by Mr. W. Meves. 

 These eggs bear most resemblance in colour and markings to those of the Greenshank, but also 

 remind one somewhat of those of the Common Sandpiper. The ground-colour is dull buff, and 

 the markings light purplish-grey and dark purplish-brown. In form they are like all Sandpipers' 

 eggs, pear-shaped, and in size vary from 1^§ inch by 1^ inch to lf-f inch by 1^ inch. As 

 Mr. Meves very justly remarks, the eggs of this bird bear no resemblance whatever to the eggs 

 of any of the true Godwits. 



The specimens figured in the Plate are from our own collection. The summer plumage 

 described is from a beautiful example in Mr. Howard Saunders's collection, shot in May, the 

 autumnal dress being described from a specimen in our own possession, killed in July; and 

 already by that time nearly all traces of summer plumage have disappeared, beyond a few black 

 marks on the scapulars. The winter garb is completely assumed by the end of August, judging 

 from a specimen in our collection killed in that month, agreeing exactly with another winter 

 specimen in Canon Tristram's collection, from Natal. The young in down has been already 

 capitally illustrated by Mr. J. Vian (7. c). 



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



E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 



a. S ■ Archangel, July 27th 1869 (Meves). b. Southern portion of Lake Baikal, August 24th, 1869 (Dyboivsky 

 and Parrex). c. pull. Archangel, June 1861 (Moeschler). 



E Mus. E. B. Tristram, 

 a. 2. Natal (Ayres). b. Siberia. 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 

 a. River Volga, May 1869 (Moeschler). 



