Species II. TRINGA SOLITAEIA* 
SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 
[Plate LVIII. Fig. 3.] 
This new species inhabits the watery solitudes of our highest moun- 
tains during the summer, from Kentucky to New York ; but is nowhere 
numerous, seldom more than one or two being seen together. It takes 
short low nights; runs nimbly about among the mossy margins of the 
mountain springs, brooks and pools, occasionally stopping, looking at 
you, and perpetually nodding the head. It is so unsuspicious, or so 
little acquainted with man, as to permit one to approach within a few 
yards of it, Avithout appearing to take any notice, or to be the least 
alarmed. At the approach of cold weather, it descends to the muddy 
shores of our large rivers, where it is occasionally met with, singly, on 
its way to the south. I have made many long and close searches for 
the nest of this bird, without success. They regularly breed on Pocono 
Mountain, between Easton and Wilkesbarre, in Pennsylvania, arriving 
there early in May, and departing in September. It is usually silent, 
unless when suddenly flushed, when it utters a sharp whistle. 
This species has considerable resemblance, both in manners and mark- 
ings, to the Green Sandpiper of Europe (Tringa Ochropus) ; but differs 
from that bird in being nearly one-third less, and in wanting the white 
rump and tail-coverts of that species ; it is also destitute of its silky 
olive green plumage. How far north its migrations extend I am unable 
to say. 
The Solitary Sandpiper is eight inches and a half long, and fifteen 
inches in extent ; the bill is one inch and a quarter in length and dusky ; 
nostrils pervious, bill fluted above and below ; line over the eye, chin, 
belly and vent, pure white ; breast white, spotted with pale olive brown ; 
crown and neck above dark olive, streaked with white ; back, scapulars 
and rump, dark brown olive, each feather marked along the edges with 
small round spots of white ; wings plain, and of a darker tint ; under 
tail-covert spotted with black ; tail slightly rounded, the five exterior 
feathers on each side white, broadly barred with black ; the two middle 
ones, as well as their coverts, plain olive ; legs long, slender, and of a 
dusky green. Male and female alike in color. 
* Tatanus glareolus, Ord's reprint, vn., p. 57. — Totanus chloropygius, Vieill. — 
Prince Musignano, Gen. N. A. Birds. 
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