19G 
SCOLOPACID.E. 
XI le mistake is easily explained. He was in the habit of 
hearing the term “ Spotted Sandpipers ” applied to the Dunlins, 
which, as we all know, have the breast spotted with black at 
certain seasons of the year. 
THE GKEENSHANK. 
Totanus glottis. 
The Greenshank, though a regular autumn visitor to Shetland, 
and scarcely to be considered a common species, yet occasionally 
remains to breed. T had several times obtained undoubted 
specimens of the eggs from the shops in Lerwick, and once from 
Yell, but it was not until the 31st of May 1871 that I found 
the nest, and then it was almost by accident. I was wander- 
ing along the margin of a small pool of water, where I had 
so often searched in vain that, although the bird was clamour- 
ing overhead, I was paying more attention to the sunset than 
to the ground. Presently, at my very feet, out flew the mate 
of the noisy fellow, now close at hand, leaving exposed its four 
beautiful eggs, lying on a little dry grass in a cavity be- 
tween two tufts of coarse weeds ; a welcome sight indeed, after 
so many years’ fruitless search. The eggs were long and 
pointed ; their average length one inch ten lines, their breadth 
one inch three lines ; in colour they were white, tinged with 
yellowish green, spotted all over, and blotched at the large end 
with rich warm amber brown and brownish purple, each of 
several shades. I have since obtained almost exactly similar 
specimens from Sutherlandshire. 
THE AVOCET. 
Rccurvirostra avocetta. 
One was seen by Thomas Edmondston many years ago, in 
winter, “ associating witli the 'Whimbrel on the sea-shore ; ” 
however, as the Mdiimlwel does not occur in winter, it is very 
