2 
WOOD-SANDPIPER. 
AVood-Sandpipci’s, also juveniles, were on Rush Hills, and several Curlew^s and Dunlins appeared on wing 
as soon as I fired a shot, wliich dropped a couple of this species, in order to ascertain their state of 
plumage with certainty. In the afternoon the Ruffs and Reeves had taken their departure and the 
AVood-Sandpi])ers were scattered in small parties of two or three over the slades on the different hills.” 
I remarked that A\ ood-Sandpipers in immature plumage remained in the vicinity of Ilickling Broad 
during the whole of that summer; on the 2Ith of July a largo flock of thirty or forty were o”bserved, 
and seven Averc stopped hy a shot as they sprung on wdng Avhile feeding on one of the slades. Five 
only were secured, owing to the dangerous nature of the moving bog on wdiicli they fell; all, however, 
exhibited tlic state of plumage assumed by the non-breeding birds remaining in this country during the 
The difference in the plumage of the adult and immature is apparent at a glance, and may often 
he detected through the glasses while the birds arc moving about feeding. On the former the colouring 
of the hack is a dark blackish brown with clear white spots, while on the latter the feathers on the 
hack are of a dull brown-green tint, and the spots a dirty pale yellow; the old birds also are generally 
larger and far more Aveighty. ^ 
But a single instance Avhere the nest of this species has been discovered in the British Islands appears 
to he recorded in any work on ornithology; it is, however, possible, from the accounts given by one or two 
writers, that this species has bred in the same locality in former years. In this case the nest Avas found on 
restAvick Car (noAv drained), in Northumberland, by Mr. John Hancock, on the 3rd of June, 1853. 
Eaily m June 1807 I fell in with a pair evidently nesting on Gnilane Links in East Lothian • the 
birds liad taken up their quarters on the lower portion of the sandy Hats towards the west, where tliere 
vei-e large patches of green rushes and long coarse grass. My attention was first attracted by one 
0 le birds darting through the air and going through much the same performance as tlie Common 
Snipe, though the sounds emitted were not so loud; these extraordinary antics were carried on for some 
line, and hnal ly both birds were lost siglit of during a prolonged flight towards the east. All would 
w i lou doubt, liave gone well, and the nest been discovered, had not a Snipe appeared on the scene, and 
one ”rtl it 'ras shortly joined hy another. Ualf an hour later 
the Mood-Sandpipcrs was again soaring over, dashing down in the same manner as previously 
witnessed; m a few minutes the Snipes were also circling round. As the number of birds on wdn- was 
omewha perplexing when an attempt was made, at a distance, to follow the movements of the Sandpipers 
thiough tlie g asses, I determined to shoot one or, if possible, both of the Snipes, and leave the place clear 
or the inspeetion of the Sandpipers. An opportunity soon occurred, as one of the Snipes dashed round ■ 
the’ I le fl- r 1 , "T'"‘ to he crossiuc 
ne of flight without attracting my attention, and hotli birds dropped to the shot. The Sand- 
male wou d without doubt now desert the spot. Though there were but slight hopes of success after 
urPiseZer' PhaT'the’ b“ d“” T ‘^1 ‘'"= 
resident in this mrt of tim ^ temporary 
ve^ 1 in 1803 and the 
- e jeai. I noticed these birds in s,,nng on two occasions and imagined them to be Snipes not 
having had access to any of the works that describe their habits during tlie breediiZscason T !’ las 
time I went to inspect this favourite haunt of IVaders and Wildfowl n f 
taken nkee in fho 't v and WildtoAAl, a fcAv years back, a change had 
place 11 the aspect of its surroundings, and it was evident that the former denixeus of the slades 
and swamps liad heon comiielled to seek other quarters ueuiseus ot the slades 
