886 
allen’s naturalist’s library. 
bird, as my cartridges were soaked, and my day’s collecting 
over ; but I often look at the skin of my little friend in the 
cabinet in the British Museum, and remember how well he 
swam, and how bravely he dived, ere I was able, after being 
h.df drowned, to capture him at last. 
The note of the Summer-Snipe is a somewhat shrill wheet, 
and is generally uttered as it rises, and develops into a piping 
cry of several syllables as the bird hurries along, just above 
the surface of the water, with rnpid vibrating strokes of the 
wing, this motion being sometimes exchanged for a steady 
sail for a few yards at a time. 
Mr. Seebohm writes : — “ Shortly after their arrival at their 
breeding-grounds the males are very demonstrative and e.x- 
cessiyely noisy. In early summer they may often be seen 
running along the rough stone w-alls near the water, with 
drooping wings, as if displaying their channs to the females 
crouching amongst the herbage below. At this season the 
cock birds sometimes soar into the air, and utter a short trill, 
as is the case with most other waders. It is said sometimes 
to perch on bushes ; and Mr. Carter informs me that he once 
saw one perched on the top branch of an ash tree thirty feet 
from the ground. The food of the Common Sandpiper is 
composed largely of worms and insects, with their larvre. It 
may sometimes be seen searching for beetles amongst the 
droppings near water where cattle drink, and it also catches 
many insects as they flit past, as well as takes them from the 
water or the stems of plants. It is very possible that it also 
eats mountain-fruits, such as bilberries, and small bits of gravel 
are found in its gizzard.” 
Nest and Eggs. — Mr. Robert Read writes to me : — “A sloping 
bank near the shore of an inland loch or river is the favourite 
breeding-place of the Common Sandpiper. Alongside Loch 
Tay I found six nests one afternoon. I have known eggs to be 
taken near Glasgow as early as May 6th. The weight of nor- 
mal eggs of the Common Sandpiper is about 178 grains, but in 
1891 I took a miniature set (still in my collection), complete 
as to shell and markings, containing a yolk, and perfect in every 
respect, averaging only 90 grains; whilst in Sw'eden, in 1894, I 
took a large light-coloured set, averaging 202 grains per egg.” 
Eggs. — Generally four in number, varying in colour from pale 
