278 SANDPIPER. 



Lombardy, in April, and departs in September, but is found in 

 France, as in England, at all seasons : common in Italy and Spain, 

 though seldom seen in great numbers on the low lands so long as 

 the season is mild, but when a heavy fall of snow overwhelms the 

 Grenada and Andalusian Mountains, they resort to the lowlands, in 

 amazing flocks ; and sometimes have covered the whole district of 

 Gibraltar, and even the town itself: when being distressed for daily 

 food, vast flocks of them assemble, and cross the Straits to Barbary, 

 returning about the middle of February in the same manner, a very 

 few remaining all the while about the grassy parts of the Hill. This 

 occurrence however is very rare, and only happens in severe seasons. 

 It seems to be common in Egypt, where the Arabs call it Goudguatt;* 

 also in Persia,t China, and probably India; but it appears rather 

 to affect the moderate climates, and even the more rigorous at certain 

 seasons, for though it is observed to pass the winter in Russia, and 

 Egypt; cannot bear the vast heats of the summer; and migrates to 

 the countries about Woronesch and Astrachan.J The chief food 

 of this bird, when at large, is worms, but as it will become pretty 

 familiar, it is frequently in gardens, where it may be observed on 

 the grass walks ; and obtains the worms, first by turning aside the 

 worm cast, and then, treading round the hole in a circular manner, 

 and thereby giving motion to the ground, the worm comes out, and 

 the bird, seizing it by one end, draws it forth. It will, however, in 

 frosty and hard weather be content with bits of pudding, meat, and 

 and other scraps, but always preferring worms when to be obtained. 



This bird is not subject to much variety in colour ; the only 

 deviation we have noticed, is one with the general plumage white; 

 hind part of the neck with some markings of buff"; under tail coverts 

 brown buff", also the ends of the tail feathers, and those of the long 

 slender ones of the nape ; the bill brown ; legs pale. This was in 

 Mr. Bullock's Museum. 



* Sonnin. Trav. ii. 125. Uncertain whether found there the whole year. — Lamark in 

 Migr. Av. — AmcBti. Acad. iv. 590. + Hasselq. p. 208. f Arct. Zoo/. 



