% SCOLOPACID.E. 



known his observations, this species had but one solitary 

 representative in the cabinets of this country. Subsequently, 

 when specimens supposed to be of the green sandpiper were 

 obtained, some few among them occasionally proved to belong 

 to the newly-recognised species, which thereby recovered its 

 proper place in society. 



The geographical distribution of this species extends all 

 over Europe south of the severe climate of Iceland and Nor- 

 way, and equally over Asia and Africa. It is also found in 

 the United States of America. The usual localities are flat 

 and swampy land, springy pools, and heathy wastes or com- 

 mons. The specimen from which our drawing is made was 

 obtained in a gravel-pit on Ditton Marsh, in Surrey. 



During the months of April and May the Wood .Sand- 

 piper migrates northward from its most southern winter 

 quarters, and remains with us until August, when this bird 

 returns associated with small flocks that are on their way 

 back from more northern latitudes. It is principally owing 

 to the Wood Sandpiper travelling during the night season 

 that it is not more frequently obtained ; besides which, the bird 

 passes the day-time on the most extensive wastes, where 

 it can run a great distance if it finds itself pursued, without 

 being obliged to take wing for its safety. 



The name which the present species bears does not agree 

 with the situations where it is generally found in this coun- 

 try, which renders it, among other circumstances, doubtful 

 whether this species is really the glareola of Linnaeus ; but, 

 as it is now best known by the appellation of Wood Sand- 

 piper, we will not presume to change it : the fact is, that this 

 bird never here frequents woods, unless copses of birch and 

 alder, that surround large tracts of heathy or boggy flats, can 

 be so called. 



The locality in which the Wood Sandpiper passes its 

 summer sojourn in our country is invariably extensive open 



