294 allen’s naturalist’s library. 
not a morose or moiikish species, shunning its kind, but is fre- 
quently met with in small companies of five or six individuals, 
on the banks of some quiet pool in a secluded grove, peacefully 
gleaning a meal from the yielding soil or surface of the placid 
water. As they move with a sedate walk about their chosen 
retreat, each bows gravely to the others, as though expressing 
a hope that his friend is enjoying most excellent health, or else 
apologising for intruding upon so charming a retreat and such 
select company. At times they run rapidly along the margin 
of the pond, often with wings raised high above the back, occa- 
sionally rising in the air to pursue some flying insect, which is 
caught with much skill and agility. The actions are light, quick 
at times, and graceful, and the bird flies rapidly, its neat plu- 
mage showing to great advantage when the wings arc outspread, 
as it skims swiftly over the surface of the water, across open 
glades, or amid the trunks and branches of the trees. In addi-. 
tion to such places as the one described, the Solitary Sandpiper 
frequents tidal creeks, and rivulets away from the sea, and, occa- 
sionally, salt marshes ; but I have never seen it on the beach, 
although I believe it does visit the borders of the ocean at rare 
intervals. It is often seen at high elevations in damp meadows 
or margins of springs and pools among the mountains, where 
its low soft whistling note sounds mournfully amid the stillness 
of the surrounding forest. AVhen startled, as a rule they do not 
fly far, but settle soon again, and regard the cause of their tem- 
porary alarm with quiet, indifferent gaze. It feeds on insects, 
larvre, worms, small crustaceans, &c., such as compose the daily 
bill of fare of the members of the Snipe family, and when it has 
satisfied its hunger, it will remain standing often up to its breast 
in the water, or drawn into a small compass on the shore. It 
frequently may be seen walking calmly in the water with slow 
measured steps, like the Heron does when looking for a good 
place to exercise his piscatory abilities.” 
Nest.— According to Mr. Elliot, only one authentic instance 
of the finding of the nest of this species is known, Mr. Richard- 
son having discovered a nest, on the ground. 
Eggs. — Hiose taken on the above occasion are described as 
pyriform in shape, light drab in colour, spotted with various 
shades of brown. They measured i'37 by 0-95 inch, and re- 
sembled those of the Piping Sand-Plover {^gialitis mehda). 
