266 
Allen’s naturalist’s library. 
British Islands, also took place in May, when a specimen was 
obtained on Heligoland. The British record is as follows : 
Cambridgeshire i, Norfolk 4, Sussex i, Cornwall and the Scilly 
Islands 4, Lundy Island i, Cumberland i, Dublin i, Belfast 2. 
Range outside the British Islands. — This species breeds in Arctic 
America and winters to the South, ranging as for as Amazonia 
Brazil, and Paraguay. ’ 
Habits.— These, says Mr. D. G. Elliot, “resemble those 
of Bartram’s Sandpiper {Bartramia longicaudd), and like that 
bird it prefers fields and grassy plains rather than the wet and 
swampy lands frequented by other Sandpipers. During the 
breeding season they indulge in curious movements, one of 
which is to walk about with the wing stretched out to its 
fullest extent and held high in the air. Two will spur like 
fighting cocks, then tower for about thirty feet with hanging 
legs. Sometimes cne will stretch himself to his full height, 
spread his wings forward and puff out his throat, at the same 
time making a clucking noise, while others stand around and 
admire him. They are silent birds at all times, and, the breed- 
ing season over, they quietly disappear, never assembling in 
flocks, and by the beginning of August all have gone south. 
When fired at, this Sandpiper will fly but a short distance 
performing a half circle along the shore, and alight again near 
to the place from which it started, or, if on the plain, drop 
down again at a little distance and run about seeking for 
insects, without exhibiting any signs of alarm. Its note is low 
and weak, merely a tweet once or twice repeated.” 
Nest. — Is like those of most waders, merely a depression in 
the ground, lined with a little moss. 
Eggs— “ Four in number, usually deposited with the small 
ends down. They are ashy or olive-drab with stone-grey under- 
l>'ing markings, smaller at the pointed, larger and more con- 
fluent at the rounded, end.” 
THE TATTLERS. SUB-FAMILY TOTANINH 5 . 
The Tattlers agree with the Snipes and Sandpipers in 
having the nostril produced nearly to the end of the bill, and 
