THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
258 
water. On the Savage River, Alaska, July, 1923, at an elevation of 
about 4000 feet (OJaus J. Murie). 
eggs. Four, varying between glaucous and greenish-glaucous, spotted 
and blotched irregularly, rather heavily near the larger end and 
rather sparsely elsewhere, with dark browns, from seal brown or bone 
brown to burnt umber or Verona brown; there are some elongated 
splashes and small, inconspicuous, underlying spots of various shades 
of brownish-drab. Breeding-season: July, Alaska (Olaus J. Murie). 
14. Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brcvipes Vieillot 
brev'-i-pes—L., brevis , short; L., pes t foot. 
distribution. Eastern Siberia, migrating southwards to Australia. 
notes. Also called Grey-rumped Sandpiper. Usually in flocks, 
arriving in Australia during September or October, departing in 
April or May. It is generally observed frequenting mangrove swamps, 
rocky seashores, sand-spits, and mud-banks, and is often in the company 
of other Waders. 
nest. A depression in the ground. It breeds only in the Alpine- 
tundra zone of the mountains in the Verkhoyansk Ranges (67° 30' N., 
134° 20' E.), towering between the basins of the Alden and Indigirka 
rivers. The Indigirka River is in north-east Siberia; it rises in the 
Stanovoi Mountains, flows W.N., and N.E. 1000 miles and enters the 
Arctic Ocean at 71° N., 150° E. 
eggs. Not recorded. 
15. Greensliank Tringa nebularia Gunnerus 
neb-n-lfir'-i-a— L., nebularius , adjective from nebula (cloudy). 
distribution. Northern Europe and northern Asia, migrating 
southwards to Africa, Australia (except central Australia), and Tas¬ 
mania; accidental to New Zealand. 
notes. Usually in small flocks, arriving in Australia during Sep¬ 
tember or October, departing in March or April. It frequents mud¬ 
flats, sand-spits, and salt marshes, and is often in the company of other 
Waders. Generally it is extremely timid and wary, and when flushed 
flies off to a more distant locality. Food: aquatic animals of various 
kinds. 
nest. A depression in the grass. 
eggs. Four, pale stone colour, covered with very dark red blotches 
and underling markings of lavender. Breeding-season: May and June 
(northern Europe and northern Asia). 
16. Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleuca Linn£ 
hy-po-leuc'-a— Gk, hypo, under; Gk, leucos, white. 
distribution. Europe and northern Asia, migrating southwards 
to Africa, Australia, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Summer Snipe. Usually in flocks, arriving in 
Australia during September or October, departing in March or April. 
