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TOTANUS CHLOROPYGIUS, 
230 . TOTANUS CHLOROPYGJUS, VIEILL. 
TRINGA SOLITARIJ, WILSON. — SOLITARY SANDPIPER® 
WILSON, PLATE LVIII. FIG. III. 
This new species inhabits the watery solitudes of 
our highest mountains during the summer, from 
Kentucky to New York; but is no where numerous, 
seldom more than one or two being seen together. It 
takes short, low flights ; runs nimbly about among the 
mossy margins of the mountain springs, brooks, and 
pools, occasionally stopping, looking at you, and per- 
petually nodding the head. It is so unsuspicious, or so 
little acquainted with man, as to permit one to approach 
within a few yards of it, without appearing to take any 
notice, or to be the least alarmed. At the approach of 
cold w eather, it descends to the muddy shores of our 
large rivers, where it is occasionally met with, singly, 
on its way to the south. I have made many long and 
close searches for the nest of this bird, without success. 
They regularly breed on Pocano mountain, between 
Easton and Wilkesbarre, in Pennsylvania, arriving 
there early in May, and departing in September. It is 
usually silent, unless when suddenly flushed, w r hen it 
utters a sharp whistle. 
This species has considerable resemblance, both in 
manners and markings, to the green sandpiper of 
Europe ( tringa ochropus ;) hut differs from that bird 
in being nearly one-third less, and in wanting the 
white rump and tail-coverts of that species ; it is also 
destitute of its silky olive green plumage. How far 
north its migrations extend, I am unable to say. 
The solitary sandpiper is eight inches and a half 
long, and fifteen inches in extent ; the bill is one 
inch and a quarter in length, and dusky ; nostrils, 
pervious, bill, fluted above and below r ; line over the 
eye, chin, belly, and vent, pure w r hite ; breast, w r hite, 
spotted with pale olive brown ; crown and neck above. 
