TOTANUS GLAREOLA. 
Wood-Sandpiper. 
Tringa glareola, Linn. Faun. Suec., p. 65. 
Uttorea, Linn, ibid., p. 66. 
ochroptis, var., Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 250. 
grallatoris, Mont. Orn. Diet., Append. 
Totanus glareola, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 1815, p. 421. 
sglvestris, Brebm, Vog. DeutsebL, p. 638. 
palustris, Brebm, ibid., p. 639. 
grallatoris, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. p. 148. 
Rhgacophilus glareola, Kaup, Natiirl. Syst., p. 140. 
The trivial name of /Fbof/-Sand piper, assigned to this species, is certainly a misnomer ; for it rather shims the 
forest than otherwise. Its province is the marsh, the peat-bog, the swampy meadow, and the wet upland 
carrs ; its companions are the Mole-Cricket, the Copper- and Swallow-tailed Butterflies, the Bittern, and the 
Large Harrier. It dwells with the beautiful buck-bean (Jllenyanthes trifoliatd) and the flowering rush {Butomus 
umhellatus) ; with all these it is associated. The pestiferous wastes are neither detrimental to its health 
nor deterrent of its reproduction. In such situations the shrill piping note of the male is uttered while 
he is sitting on a stone, a cushion of bog-grass, or any slight elevation ; and now and anon it may be seen 
circling overhead, uttering querulous cries, if its breeding-grounds are being intruded upon : such at least 
were the actions of those I observed on the great dreary waste of the Dovrefjeld, in Norway ; and, with certain 
modifications, these actions, as well as the situations in which it was seen, answer to Mr. Hoy’s vivid 
description of the bird and its habits, as noted by him in Dutch Brabant during the months of summer. It 
cannot be said that the M^ood-Sandpiper is very common anywhere ; yet it is sufficiently numerous in many 
places to admit of the naturalist satisfying his desire of seeing it in a state of nature, if he will seek for it 
in any of its homes at the proper season. In England it has not only been killed or observed in every 
county, but we have indubitable evidence of its breeding with us, Mr. Hancock, of Newcastle, having described 
its nest and eggs from an example procured within a few miles of the birthplace of the justly celebrated 
Bewick. In Ireland it is stated to be less abundant than in England — an assertion due, I think, to the 
circumstance of there being fewer collectors and observers of birds in that country than in our island. In 
other parts of Europe, from Lapland to tbe Mediterranean, from Holland to the Volga, it is very generally dis- 
persed, but is now'here abundant, yet is always to be found in situations suited to its peculiar mode of life. 
Out of Europe it also enjoys a wide range of habitat ; for it is found all over India, Amoorland, Japan, China, 
Malasia and the great islands of Java and Sumatra, to which may probably be added tbe few fluviatile portions 
of Africa. I believe it is not found in America, altbough I may have so stated in my former writings, the 
species I mistook for it being the Totanus solitarhis. 
The following interesting communication from the late Mr. Hoy to Mr. Hewitson, comprising nearly all 
that is known respecting the Wood-Sandpiper, I take the liberty of transcribing from tbe latter gentleman’s 
valuable ‘ Coloured Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds,’ third edition, vol. ii. p. 330. 
“This species is migratory, retiring in September and making its appearance early in April. That it 
breeds rather early I infer from having met with the young feathered and capable of flying a short distance 
on the llth of June. I regret that I did not discover the bird till late in tbe season. 
“ A great portion of Dutch Brabant, more particularly the southern and eastern parts, is covered l)y 
large tracts of heath, the soil being of a light, sandy nature. A great number of peat-bogs and shallow pools 
of water are distributed over this district. Most of the small streams are skirted by swampy ground, where 
the bog-myrtle grows in the greatest luxuriance, with stunted bushes of alder and willow. These situations 
are the favourite haunt of the Sandpiper during the breeding-season. While the hen is sitting, the male 
flies round in wide circles, and at a considerable elevation. Tbe female sits close, and the nest is most 
difficult to find. 
“ If you approach the spot where they have young, and especially if a dog be with yon, tbe old birds fly 
round in the most anxious manner, hover over the dog within a few feet, then, suddenly darting off, mount 
high into the air and pounce down again with great rajndity on the intruder. If you have observed the 
actions and manoeuvres of the Redshank during the breeding-season, you will have seen very much the habits 
of tbe Wood-Sandpiper. It is far from being numerous in the localities where I met with it ; yet many pairs 
are dispersed over these districts, where they have long been known to breed. Altbough I met with the 
