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COLOURED

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

British Birgys,

AND THEIR

Cgags.

MEYER.

BY H. L.

We

VOL.

CONTAINING SIXTY PLATE

5.

WWE. EG

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LONDON:
SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & Co.

1848.

Moen

PSraTragT

CEH EE Or Uy Vink:

Wood Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Greenshank
Avocet :
Black-winged Stilt
Black-tailed Godwit
Bar-tailed Godwit
Brown Snipe
Woodcock

Solitary Snipe
Sabine’s Snipe
Snipe .

Jack Snipe

Tigi <<

Knott y
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Temminck’s Stint
Little Stint

Purple Sandpiper .
Purre, or Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
Curlew Tringa
Schnitz Sandpiper
Pratincole

Land Rail

Water Rail
Spotted Crake
Baillon’s Crake

CONTENTS

OF

PLATE PAGE

181.
182,
183.
184.
185.
186.
187.
188.
189.
190.
191.
192.
193.
194.
195.
196.
197.
198.
WO),
200.
201.
202.
208.
204,
205.
206.
207.
208.
209.

1
7
11
13
17
oi
25
29
33
37
AS
49
51
59
62
67
70
73
ie)
80
85
89
91
96
101
107
112
117
121

iv

Olivaceous Crake .
Phalarope 3 :
Red Necked Phalarope
Coot :
Moor Hen

Oyster Catcher
Turnstone

Crested Lapwing

Grey Plover
Sanderling

Golden Plover
Cream-Coloured Courser
Dotterel

Ring Dotterel

Little Ring Dotterel
Kentish Plover

CONTENTS.

PLATE PAGE

210.
211.
212.
213.
214,
215,
216.
217.
218.
219.
220.
221.
222.
223.
224.
225.

124
129
132
135
141
144
150
155
160
164
169
174
176
181
186
190

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

BRITISH BIRDS.

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID:.

PLATE CLXXXI.
WOOD SANDPIPER.
TOTANUS GLAREOLA.

THe Wood Sandpiper was not formerly considered to
be a visitor to Great Britain, until Colonel Montagu, with
his usual discrimination, perceived that a species occasionally
met with, and which was considered by his contemporaries
as simply a variety of the green sandpiper, exhibited the
characters assigned by Linneus to his 7’. glareola. ‘These
characters, when once pointed out, are sufficiently distinguish-
able ; so that no ornithologist of the present day, who examines
with his own eyes specimens of the two species which he
may chance to obtain, can possibly make any mistake be-
tween them.

At the time, however, when Colonel Montagu made

VOL. V. B

2 SCOLOPACIDE.

known his observations, this species had but one solitary .
representative in the cabinets of this country. Subsequently,
when specimens supposed to be of the green sandpiper were
obtained, some few among them occasionally proved to belong
to the newly-recognised species, which thereby recovered its
proper place in society.

The geographical distribution of this species extends all
over Europe south of the severe climate of Iceland and Nor-
way, and equally over Asia and Africa. It is also found in
the United States of America. ‘The usual localities are flat
and swampy land, springy pools, and heathy wastes or com-
mons. ‘The specimen from which our drawing is made was
obtained in a gravel-pit on Ditton Marsh, in Surrey.

During the months of April and May the Wood Sand-
piper migrates northward from its most southern winter
quarters, and remains with us until August, when this bird
returns associated with small flocks that are on their way
back from more northern latitudes. It is principally owing
to the Wood Sandpiper travelling during the night season
that it is not more frequently obtained ; besides which, the bird
passes the day-time on the most extensive wastes, where
it can run a great distance if it finds itself pursued, without
being obliged to take wing for its safety.

The name which the present species bears does not agree:
with the situations where it is generally found in this coun-
try, which renders it, among other circumstances, doubtful
whether this species is really the glareola of Linneus; but,
as it is now best known by the appellation of Wood Sand-
piper, we will not presume to change it: the fact is, that this
bird never here frequents woods, unless copses of birch and
alder, that surround large tracts of heathy or boggy flats, can
be so called.

The locality in which the Wood Sandpiper passes its
summer sojourn in our country is invariably extensive open

WOOD SANDPIPER. 3

ground, which we can partly prove by the fact that several
specimens are annually obtained on Wimbledon Common,
in Surrey; and during the time of migration, it generally
alights in swamps where man can obtain no footing with
any security from sinking in: it also frequents the muddy
shores of lakes of all dimensions, but is never found on the
sea-coast.

The Wood Sandpiper is rarely found in flocks, except
during the time of migration, but it is not uncommonly
seen, in company with redshanks or ruffs, on the shores of
lakes or ponds very early in the spring.

The general appearance of the present species is very
elegant when seen running about on the ground, to which
its slender body and long legs contribute very considerably ;
and on taking wing it is peculiarly conspicuous, in conse-
quence of its dusky feathermg and white rump being so
clearly defined, although the contrast of colour is not so
great as in the foregoing species.

When the Wood Sandpiper perceives any sudden ap-
proach of danger, it remains immoveable until compelled to
take wing, when it mounts high in the air and flies off to
a great distance, and with a velocity that surpasses all others
of its family.

During the time of migration the pecular gathering-note,
&tf, gif! may be heard often repeated, forming a concert
or chorus of many voices, and serving to keep together the
assembled travellers, until fatigue compels them to alight
for rest in some convenient spot. ‘The male bird has during
the breeding season another call-note, which sounds like
teatril, teatril !

It is a curious fact, that the Wood Sandpiper can easily
be kept in confinement, and that its constitution will gene-
rally overcome a broken wing.

The food of the Wood Sandpiper consists in such small

4 SCOLOPACIDE.

insects as inhabit the humid localities frequented by it, and
more particularly the larvee of gnats and flies, and also
small beetles, small worms, and minute snails, whose shells
are now and then found in the stomach of this bird.
In order to facilitate the search for the Wood Sandpiper,
it may be remarked that this species chiefly seeks its food
on the swampy borders of lakes and ponds, where the water
covers the ground, or in spots where either grass or reeds
of low growth stand in patches: where these places have
become dried up in the summer it is in vain to expect to
find it.

In the beginning of April a pair of Wood Sand-
pipers choose their place for forming a nest, which consists
in a shallow depression in the ground, lined with a few
dry grasses and other small blades of bog plants; in it
three or four eggs are deposited, which are incubated by
the hen bird, while the male watches for her safety and that
of the young brood. Owing to the boggy ground which is
chosen for this purpose, the nest is very difficult to find ;
but the best way to facilitate the search is to take a spaniel
dog to the ground where the nest is supposed to be, for
the male bird will soon be seen to rise and hover over the
intruder, and by these means it will soon become apparent
that.a nest of the Wood Sandpiper is not far distant, and
requires only to be carefully looked for.

The present species measures about nine inches in length ;
the beak one inch and a quarter; the tarsus is one inch and
a half, and the naked part of the tibia one inch, being one
half of its length ; the middle toe, including the claw, one inch
and two lines. The colouring of the beak is black from the
tip to the nostril, and from thence to its base greenish flesh-
colour; the iris dusky brown; the legs and toes pale pea-
green, with a pale blue tinge, and oil-green at the joints :
the claws dusky.

WOOD SANDPIPER. 5

The plumage of the young birds and that of the
adult in winter do not differ much, but the summer plu-
mage stands alone. The immature plumage is as fol-
lows:—A small bar of dusky extends from the base of the
beak to the eye, over which is a broad white streak that
passes above the eye and surrounds it; the top of the head
is dusky, with narrow white edges to the feathers; the back
of the neck the same, but more streaked with white; the
cheeks are white with narrow brown streaks, as are also the
ear-coverts, which are besides tinged with ash-colour; chin
and throat pure white; the neck white, with brown shaft-
streaks and markings, which become larger and plainer on the
chest ; the back, shoulders, tertials, and the greater and lesser
wing-coverts dusky, with hardly perceptible reflexions of
green and purple, and bright rufous triangular spots bor-
dering the edges of the feathers ; on the lesser wing-coverts
these spots become extinct, and the ground colour of the edge
of the wing is much lighter: the quill-feathers are dusky, the
first of which has a white shaft; all the tips of the quill-
feathers are narrowly edged with white, with the exception of
the first; the lower part of the back is dusky; the rump
white ; the upper tail-coverts white, with small dusky shaft-
streaks and spots; all the under parts white; the under tail-
coverts have narrow dusky shaft-streaks: the thighs are spotted
with brown ; the tail white, broadly barred with dusky. Male
and female are alike.

The winter plumage differs very little from the foregoing :
the top of the head has more decided brown spots ; the mark-
ings on the back and sides of the neck are narrower, and
clouded with ash-colour; the side feathers of the breast and
flanks are covered with greyish-brown waving lines; the
brown spots on the upper parts are larger and brighter. As the
birds advance in age the rufous colouring becomes almost

white. The legs and base of the beak are greenish ash-colour.
B 3

6 SCOLOPACIDE.

The summer plumage varies principally in the dusky
colouring being richer, and the triangular spots of the entire
feathering of the upper parts being silvery, but not pure
white.

The adult birds moult in the course of the month of
August, and the young of the year after arriving in their
winter quarters. By the month of April the adults appear
again in their perfect summer plumage.

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COMMON SANDPIPER. wf

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACIDS..

PLATE CLXXXII.
COMMON SANDPIPER.
TOTANUS HYPOLEUCUS.

WE are now called upon to describe this very elegant little
summer visitant to Great Britain, the Common Sandpiper, or
Summer Snipe, which must remind most men, that have ever
indulged in an excursion along our beautiful rivers, of quiet
enjoyment; since there this bird is generally to be seen on the
gravelly banks close to the water, running about incessantly
in search of food, or flying to some short distance uttering
its pleasing whistling note. This species is found throughout
the British Isles, and is equally common in most parts of
Kurope and Asia, from north to south ; it is also met with
in some parts of America and Africa. Although it is a well-
known bird, we are not aware that it is anywhere met with
in great numbers: on the banks of the Thames we have
seen, in one or two instances, a dozen or fourteen together.

About the month of April the Sandpiper arrives in this
country from the south, and remains with us until August
and September ; after which time it is rarely seen, unless the
autumn is very fine. In the spring of the year the present
species arrives with us singly, or at most in pairs, and it is
only about the latter part of their sojourn with us that they
are seen in small flocks, but even then at most not exceed-
ing twenty or thirty. Like most others of its tribe, this

8 SCOLOPACID.

sandpiper travels during the night: towards sunset it begins
to shew great restlessness, and continues to fly about until
dark, uttering its pleasing whistle, when it rises high in the
air, and moves off in a southern direction.

The localities frequented by the Common Sandpiper are
the banks of rivers of all dimensions, whether the country is
flat or hilly, or the district open or wooded; but the rivers
or streams, whose height is continually varied through floods,
tides, or the effects of locks and weirs, are preferred, in as
much as the receding water is sure to Jeave behind a fresh
supply of food upon the exposed gravel or mud.

There is no other species of this present family that seems
so frequently to be seen among osier plantations, and other
cover that skirts the water’s edge. When in pursuit of this
bird, we most generally find it on the gravelly wet banks near
the water; on large moss-grown stones in the river; on the
flat wood-work over which water runs continually, and where
the slippery weeds hang about the same; and also in
shallow water, where the current has no strength to wash the
bird off its feet.

It is a very pretty sight to see this bird run over the sur-
face of the leaves of the water-lily, and amusing to observe
how it is sometimes disturbed and tormented by the pied
wagtail, its frequent associate in these localities, during which
time the Sandpiper expresses its impatience by uttering its
high note of disapproval.

The flight of the Sandpiper is easy and swift: when flying
only to a short distance, it skims close over the surface of
the water, and most generally settles again very nearly oppo-
site to the place it started from; when, on the contrary, it is
leaving the neighbourhood, it flies at a tolerable elevation.
We are told that this bird is very well able to swim and even
dive, but we have never experienced this ourselves, although
the snipe sometimes swims as well as a rat. a circumstance

COMMON SANDPIPER. 9

which we have witnessed more than once. Owing to the fact
that the Sandpiper never hides nor squats, it is a very easy
bird to approach with a gun.

The present species is not remarkable for sociability ; for
whether a flock starts on the wing together, or alights at the
same time, each bird follows its own inclination, without pay-
ing the least attention to the call-note of its companions.

The call-note of this bird is best expressed by the word
heedeedee, heedeedee ! the second syllable being uttered loud-
est, the tone much resembling that of a flute ; it approaches
nearest to the call-note of the king-fisher, but is not so shrill,
and at least two notes lower in music. It is very remarkable
how often this call-note is repeated when the bird is on the
wing ; we may almost assert that this repetition amounts to
from forty to fifty times. It is not difficult to keep the Sand-
piper in confinement, if only slightly wounded in the wing in
obtaining it.

The food, in a natural state, consists of smallinsects and their
larvee, and with these many grains of sand are swallowed ; the
insects consist chiefly in flies, gnats, and water-spiders, but
rarely snails, if ever so small.

About the middle of April these birds pair and choose
the spot for their nest, which is on the ground, always above
the highest water-mark to which any spring-flood reaches ;
the distance from the water is not great, the nearest suitable
spot for the purpose being chosen, but the nest is so
carefully hidden under the lower branches of willows, osiers,
&c., that it is exceedingly difficult to find it; and there is
never an entrance to it but from one side only. The
nest is little more than a hollow in the ground, neatly
lined with dry grasses, and a few dead leaves of the willow.
The number of eggs never exceeds four, which are hatched
by the mother in about fourteen days; and the young leave
the nest as soon as they are dry, when they hide themselves

10 SCOLOPACIDE.

very carefully among the surrounding willow-stumps and
branches. In a month from the time of their birth the
young require no longer the aid of their parents, and may be
seen feeding in the same spots that the adult frequent.

The Sandpiper measures from seven inches and a half to
seven inches and three-quarters; the expanse of its wings is
from fourteen to fourteen inches and a half. The plumage is
of a silky texture; the upper parts, from head to tail, olive
cinereous dusky; the shafts of the feathers black; the quills
dusky; cheeks, sides of the breast, and neck delicately marked
with dusky streaks, and clouded with bluish-ash and yellow
ochre ; from the upper mandible to the eye extends a dusky
streak ; the eye is dusky; beak dusky, with pale fleshy ash-
colour at the base. The legs are pale bluish-green, with trans-
parent brown at the joints of the knee, foot, and toes ; claws
dusky. The central tail-feathers dusky ; the next barred with
dusky and white: all the under parts are pure white. In
summer plumage the lesser wing-coverts and scapulars have a
black border near the tip of each feather, which appears to be
wanting in winter plumage.

The male and female are alike; the young have the pen-
cilled markings on the feathers somewhat different, and some
of the feathers on the upper plumage are bordered with
cream-colour and black, thereby giving the whole a much
more varied colouring.

The egg figured 182 is that of the Common Sandpiper.

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SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 11

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID A.

PLATE CLXXXIII.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER.
TOTANUS MACULARIA.

Tue Spotted Sandpiper is a rare occasional visitant in
Britain, and still more so on the continent of Europe: its
true country is America, where it is found from the northern
provinces of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, extending over
the West Indian Islands. The specimens that have been
recognised in this country have all been adult birds ; it is pos-
sible that the resemblance the young birds bear to our Hu-
ropean sandpiper has prevented their being recognised as
visitors here.

For the best information on this subject we have to look
to American ornithologists, upon whose correct accounts we
can rely with safety, since their information is obtained from
the study of nature and not from books ; but the habits of the
Spotted Sandpiper are so much like those of the Sandpiper
last described, that it would only be a repetition of the same
account.

The locality preferred by the Spotted Sandpiper is the
banks of fresh-water rivers or lakes, and particularly in wooded
districts ; it is very rarely seen by the sea-side.

The food is obtained by the water-side, and consists in
insects and their larvee. :

This bird migrates northward to breed in the spring of the

12 SCOLOPACIDE.

year, and in the same manner as the foregoing species, placing
its nest in a well-hidden spot. ‘The eggs are four in number,
and marked as represented in our Plate.

The length of the Spotted Sandpiper is from six inches and
a half to seven inches, according to age and the matured length
of the beak and tail-feathers.

The plumage, being equally silkyin texture, very much resem-
bles the common sandpiper, although there appears a warmer
brown and more decisive olive reflexion on the dusky fea-
thering; the upper parts are all of this colouring, and the under
parts are white, with numerous round spots of the above-
named dusky colour. The iris is dusky, as is also the streak
through the eye from the base of the upper mandible to the
sides of the head. The beak is dusky towards the tip, and
flesh-coloured about the base; the legs are flesh-coloured ;
the claws dusky brown.

The young birds have spots disposed over the under parts,
although by far less distinct. Male and female are nearly
alike.

The egg figured 183 is that of the Spotted Sandpiper.

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GREENSHANK. 1133

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID.

PLATE CLXXXIV.
GREENSHANK.
TOTANUS GLOTTIS.

Tue Greenshank is a summer visitant in Britain, and
most numerous during its spring and autumn migration, al-
though at no time common. Its distribution extends over
portions of Eurepe, Asia, Africa, and America. In Europe
it is seen in every part; in Asia, from Siberia southward to
Bengal: in Africa it is most frequent in Egypt and Nubia ;
and in America it is found from North to South: but there
also occurs a species ( T'otanus melanoleucos) much resembling
the present, in South America, with which it has been some-
times confused. The Greenshank appears to give no ex-
clusive preference to flat countries, since it is frequently met
with on the borders of the lakes of Switzerland, as well as of
Scotland. In the flat parts of Holland it is very frequent.
The most likely locality for the Greenshank to be met with
is on the soft muddy banks of lakes, ponds, rivers, and bogs,
at no great distance from the sea, and also on the flat sea-
shore itself; but, owing to its generally giving the pre-
ference to sweet water above salt water, this species, as soon
as it alights on our sea-shores, begins to work its way inland.

The birds that visit us are most probably stragglers from
the flocks which pass over the Continent in a north-easterly
direction in the spring of the year; some few, however,

VOL. V. c

14 SCOLOPACIDE,

remain to breed, for, according to Mr. Selby, the young have
been seen on the borders of Loch Awe in July, and an adult
specimen which was shot in Scotland in the month of May
caine into that gentleman’s possession. We also know of a
specimen having been shot on the Thames in the month of
June, near Walton, in Surrey.

The food of the Greenshank consists of aquatic worms and
insects, and also of small fish that are found in pools of shallow
water, and small crustaceous animals, which it looks for on
the water’s edge or in shallow pools. This species prefers
feeding-places that are situated in open ground, where it can
keep at a proper distance from its enemies; for which reason
it is rarely found in wooded and sheltered parts + yet it has
been seen perched on the branch of a tree in some few
instances. On the Continent this species occurs more fre-
quently than in corresponding latitudes in our country, the
nature of many parts of Europe being better adapted to its
habits than our islands. Still water it prefers at all times to
rapid streams, resembling in that respect others of its family ;
consequently, a black, muddy flat under shelter of the bank
of a river, or a ridge of this soft foundation that extends far
out on the river or lake, is the most likely spot in which to
meet with this bird; but sand banks or flats do not seem
to furnish it with food, since it is not seen to alight upon
or frequent them. During its search for food it proceeds
quietly about with its body in a horizontal direction; it also
wades very frequently to the full extent of its long legs,
and in case of need swims and dives in a perfect manner,
opening its wings under water, and thus pushing along
with great rapidity.

In flying, the Greenshank does not extend its wings
fully, but beats the air in regular and quick succession ;
its head and legs are then thrust out at full length, and
consequently form a straight line. On alighting it generally

GREENSHANK. 15

comes down in a sloping direction, but sometimes with such
swiftness that it is obliged to throw its body to the right
and left in order to break its fall, and at last quite opens
its wings, in order to skim a yard or two before touching
the ground. The present species is the most careful and
shy of all its tribe, and, unless a sportsman can take it by
surprise, it cannot be approached within a hundred yards:
the best mode of getting a specimen is by placing a stuffed
Greenshank on a suitable spot, where a person can be hidden
within gunshot, as this species is sociable with its own, as
well as with other nearly allied species; but the instant it
comes down it must be fired at, for fear of the deception
being discovered. The sociable nature of the Greenshanks also
shews itself in their generally flying about in small parties,
and calling the straggler stowards them whenever they meet :
they also fly in company with snipes and other species of
their own family, and will allow any of these to accompany
them during their migration.

The call-note of the present species sounds like the word
tea-ah, tea-ah! which it utters on the wing or on the ground
in quick succession, twice or thrice; and when several of them
answer one another, this forms a very melodious sound, owing
to its fulness of expression.

In confinement the Greenshank becomes tame, and will
exist for some time, owing to its hardiness.

This species chiefly breeds in high northern latitudes.
The nest is said to be placed on the ground in a hollow, like
that of the lapwing. The eggs are four in number, rather
larger than those of that species.

The length of the Greenshank is nearly twelve inches, and
its summer plumage is as follows :—The top of the head, back
of the neck, back, and scapulars consist of dusky feathers
with paler edges; the larger feathers of the scapulars and
tertials are black in the centre and regularly edged with

0} 4

a

16 SCOLOPACID#.

a border of white spots; two narrow white bands are formed
on the wings by the white tips of the feathers forming
the greater wing-coverts; the feathers which cover the
shoulders of the wings are liver-coloured; the rump is
white; the upper tail-coverts have a dusky spot or bar on
each feather near their tips, and the shafts are dusky;
the tail is barred with dusky and greyish-white; a dusky
space between the beak and eye extends in small spots
over the cheek, and communicates with more numerous
and larger drop-shaped dusky spots over the sides and
upper part of the breast; the under parts are pure white
from the chin to the vent. The base of the beak and
the legs are blueish-green ; the claws and tip of the beak
dusky ; the iris sepia.

In winter the plumage differs greatly, and, although not
so strikingly showy, is, on closer inspection, wonderfully
beautiful. The ground colour of the upper parts, with
the exception of the pure white rump, is a pale blueish-
ash; the top of the head, nape, cheeks, back, and sides
of the neck are spotted with small dusky centrals and
shafts to each feather; the upper edge of the wing-coverts,
frontal edge, and quills are dusky; the feathers of the
tippet have the dusky central spot broader; those of the
back and wing-coverts are finely pencilled with dusky, and
the tertials and greater wing-coverts have the peculiar trian-
gular spots on their edges; the tail-feathers are narrowly
barred with dusky and greyish-ash: all the under parts are
pure white ; legs and beak the same as in summer plumage,
but paler; the iris dusky.

The beak of the Greenshank is straight from the fore-
head to the middle, but from thence to the tip considerably
turned up.

ABI:

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AVOCET. I le/

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID.

PLATE CLXXXV.
AVOCET.
RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA.

THE Avocet occasionally visits our eastern shores, such as
Durham, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Kent, and has been
known to breed in the fenny districts of Lincolnshire and
Norfolk, and in Romney Marsh; but, owing to some un-
known circumstances, it does not occur so frequently as it
used to do, which is unaccountable enough, as it is rather
plentiful in North Holland. This bird is well known in many
parts of Europe and Asia, and spreads over most parts of
Africa from north to south. On the continent of Europe, it
ranges from Siberia through Tartary, Russia, the borders of
the Black Sea, Hungary, Italy, and Spain; and is frequent in
France and the borders of the Baltic. In Sweden it is of
rare occurrence.

This species is migratory, and arrives in this country about
April, and departs in September. We met with a very ex-
perienced sportsman a year or two ago in London, in a room
where an Avocet was preserved in a case. He remarked to us
that we might see plenty of these birds on the muddy flats at
the mouth of the Thames, where they run about in great
numbers beating the mud withetheir turned up beaks, in
order to rouse up the insects that lie concealed below the

surface ; and this account agrees very much with a statement
Cae

18 SCOLOPACIDE.

in the twenty-second number of the “ Zoologist,” (p. 719,)
which says, ‘‘'The Avocet is not uncommon. Formerly they
bred in Romney Marsh in great numbers, but are now less
frequently met with. Mr. Plomley has four in his collection,
and could have procured many more. A nest of young ones
was found in 1842, and last summer Mr. Plomley killed two
young birds on the wing.” :

The migration of the Avocet is performed during the night,
and chiefly along the sea-coast, which in a great measure ac-
counts for our rarely seeing one of them inland; and, more-
over, the propensity of this bird to prefer at all times salt-
water is sufficiently conclusive, The soil preferred is black
soft mud, and in particular such as has been left exposed
during low-water. On sandy, rocky, or shingly shores it is
never seen. It is also particularly fond of salt marshes,
which are in a humid but not a perfectly wet state, and to
which it can resort during high-water; and where such are
wanting, the bird seeks for pools and creeks that the tide fills
partially, where it can remain until the low tide has left
the feeding-ground bare again. About the middle of the day
the Avocet roosts, standing on one leg, and resting its head
on its back and its beak on the upper part of the breast. Its
feeding time is regulated by the tides, and its movements or
migration occur chiefly during the night.

The general appearance of the Avocet is very ornamental
to the locality it frequents, owing to the pure white and deep
black of its feathering. Its walk is easy and graceful: it is
also able to run very fast, which it does invariably close to
the water’s edge when pursued, standing every now and then
still, raising its head sharply and lowering it again, and at last,
if the pursuit is kept up, it flies up high in the air and leaves
the neighbourhood. Swimming may also be ranked among
its capacities, during which exercise it nods with its head at
every stroke.

AVOCET. 19

The flight of the present species is very different from
that of most others of its family, owing in part to its bend-
ing its wings into perfect arches during their movements:
the wings are either beaten in quick succession, or more
moderately, according to the pleasure of the bird. During
the breeding season they fly great distances low over the
surface of the water, but pursue their migratory journey at
a great elevation. ‘The form of the Avocet when on the
wing is particularly strange, in consequence of the head being
drawn close to its body with the beak bent somewhat down-
wards, and the legs projected out very far behind, On alight-
ing, it opens its wings for a moment high above its back, and
then closes them very carefully.

By nature the Avocet is shy and watchful, but sociable to-
wards its own species. ‘They travel generally in small flocks,
but sometimes unite in great companies; they also remain
together in companies in and about their breeding-places.

The call-note can be best expressed by the word kwee,
Awee, uttered in a piping tone, but not very loud.

The food of the Avocet is marine insects and the soft
spawn of the crustacea; but it would be very difficult to
enumerate any in particular, since the bird has the propensity
of emptying its stomach as soon as it is wounded, and the
digestion going on so fast among this tribe of birds, it is
impossible to form any conjecture with certainty.

The very extraordinary shape of the beak, and its soft
whalebone-like consistency, seem to be adapted for selecting
some particular food with which we are not yet acquainted:
the use they make of their beaks in beating the mud is pos-
sibly the only meaning of its being turned up towards the tip.
The manner in which the Avocet takes its food from the
surface is by scooping right and left, with a precision and
swiftness that cannot be eluded by the insects which rise up
in all directions. in its path. When the Avocet is swimming

20 SCOLOPACID.

in company with ducks or other water-birds, the peculiarity of
its habits is more perceptible ; it dips its beak from time to time
in the water in the same manner as on the ground, but never
puts its head under, being content with skimming the surface.
In consequence of the delicate nature of its sharp-pointed and
soft beak, sandy or shingly ground will not suit its habits.

The chosen spots for breeding are on the uneven ground”
near their usual haunts, where short marine vegetation and
grass cover the ground, just above high-water mark. They
always breed in companies close together, the nest itself being
a hollow scratched in the ground and lined with a few grasses
and dry roots of marine plants: in it three or four eggs are
deposited, as represented in. our plate, and these are in-
cubated in turn by both male and female. In eighteen days
the young are able to creep out of the shell, and leave the
nest as soon as they are dry enough. If any one approaches
the nest during the time of incubation, the parent birds fly
circling round the intruder, uttering their call or alarm-note;
the young birds secure their safety as soon as they can run about
by squatting close to the ground in the hollows of its surface,
or between patches of vegetation, and are very difficult to find.

The male measures about eighteen inches.in length, and
the female seventeen inches. ‘The adult bird has the top of
the head, nape, and two-thirds of the back of the neck
black; the scapulars, lesser wing-coverts, and quill-feathers
also black: the rest of the feathering is pure white, with a
tinge of pale buff on the under parts. Its beak is black; the
iris deep red-brown ; the legs bluish-ash colour. The male
and female are alike, but the young of the year have the
parts which are black in the adult (with exception of the
quill-feathers) umber-brown, with paler edges, and the white
is more or less tinged with raw-umber; iris dusky, as well
as the beak.

The egg figured 185 is that of the Avocet.

BLACK-WINGED STILT. Q]

GRALLATORES. : SCOLOPACID.

PLATE CLXXXVI.
BLACK-WINGED STILT.

HIMANTOPUS MELANOPTERUS.

Tue Black-winged Stilt is occasionally met with in Britain,
but is not frequent. Several ornithologists have enumerated
and described British killed specimens, both in Scotland,
Ireland, and England; still it is considered by all to be
rather scarce.

The geographical distribution of this bird extends over
most of the temperate and warm climates of the four quarters
of the globe: in America there occurs also another species,
for which it has been mistaken, owing to its great resemblance
to ours. In Europe it is most plentiful in Spain, Italy,
Greece, Hungary, and the southern provinces of Russia.

The Black-winged Stilt is a migratory species, working its
way northward in May, and southward as early as August.
In Hungary many pairs breed annually, but rarely farther
north; and it is only in warm fine weather that some indi-
viduals extend their journey as far as our isles. ‘The migra-
tory movements of the present species are performed during
the night. When they are disturbed during the day they fly
off to some distance, but are very apt to return to the same
spot again the next day; and where they are observed to
alight or to haunt they generally remain for some days,
which circumstance facilitates the capture of specimens very

‘239 SCOLOPACIDE.

considerably. The situations most suitable to this bird are
the borders of lakes, ponds, and extensive watery flats: the
banks of rivers or the sea-coast are only its resting-place for
want of other more suitable spots. On the borders of the
Caspian Sea and the extensive boggy flats in Hungary, where
large beds of rushes abound, several pairs breed annually: it
is thus evident that still water invites this species more than
currents or rapids.

The general appearance of the Black-winged Stilt is so
different from that of all other British birds, that it can hardly
be possible not to notice it whenever it shews itself on the
ground. In the first place, the pure black, and white of its
feathering distinguish it, but especially its long red legs,
which latter have no match in proportion to the size of the
bird. Its manner of walking is also remarkable enough,
owing to its long legs, and it needs no great extent of
imagination to think at what a swift rate it can walk if urged
so to do: nevertheless, the stilts or long legs of this species
appear not merely intended for the purpose of accelerating
its speed by land, but principally for wading to a great distance
in the water, where it may be seen standing perfectly still,
while it catches the flying insects, which hover over the surface,
with an astonishing ease and certainty. When the bird flies
at no great height it shews its long slender legs to great
advantage, as they are carried straight out behind. The body
itself is very small and slender; its wings are much bent down
in its flight, and the neck not much extended, with the beak
pointing downwards. Its flight is not quick, but steady and
regular. During the time of migration it often flies at a
great elevation.

The Black-winged Stilt is less shy than any other of its
family, but, nevertheless, not to be approached within gun-
shot in an open situation: it does not squat or hide among
flags or rushes.

BLACK-WINGED STILT. Q3

The food of the present wader consists in small insects
that hover close to the surface of the water or bog, small
beetles and their larvee, as well as the spawn of frogs and
other aquatic creatures. Small worms it pulls out of the mud,
and frequently out of the water. It captures small fish or fry,
by dipping the head and neck at full length below its sur-
face.

The nest of the Black-winged Stilt is placed on a raised
lump of the surrounding bog, and consists in a cup-shaped de-
pression, with little or no lining: in it four eggs are deposited ;
these are described as being pale blue, spotted with olive-
green and brown, but we are unable at present to offer a
representation of this rare egg, until an opportunity presents
itself upon which we can rely with certainty.

The entire length of the Black-winged Stilt is rather more
than thirteen inches; its beak two inches and a half; naked
part of the tibia three inches and a half, the tarsus four inches
and a half.

The top of the head and nape are black mixed with white ;
back and wings black with greenish reflexions; forehead,
cheeks, and all the under parts pure white, with a tinge of
rose-pink about the breast and belly; the tail ash-coloured :
the beak is black ; the irides carmine red, and the legs Vene-
tian red.

: i fie
x
taal ‘as

ey
‘

Pt. 187.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. 5)

GRA LLATORES. SCOLOPACID i.

PLATE CLXXXVIL.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT.

LIMOSA MELANURA.

Tue periodical occurrence of the Black-tailed Godwit is not
uncommon in Britain; it visits us in the spring of the year,
on its passage to more northern climes, where it breeds in
greater numbers, and appears again in the autumn, on its
return to pass the winter in the southern countries of Europe
and Asia. ‘The geographical distribution of this species ex-
tends pretty generally over Europe, Asia, and Africa, although
it is found more plentifully in some countries than in others,
and appears to give the preference to those that are situated
nearest the sea; consequently, it is met with in most parts
of Great Britain, where it also remains to breed in localities
suitable to its habits. In central Kurope it is least numerous,
and in some places rare.

The locality preferred by the present species is extensive
flats of moist, and boggy ground, intersected with ditches,
canals, and swamps ; it is very rarely seen on a shingle or sand
bottom. Low meadows, with rank grass or aquatic vegetation,
only a few inches in height, and thinly covering the ground,
the Godwit frequents by choice, where it may be seen busy
in pursuit of its vocation, namely, seeking its food. The
reason assigned for these birds frequenting such barren

VOL. V. 7

26 SCOLOPACIDE,

ground is, that they may be aware of the approach of an
enemy.

The habits of the Black-tailed Godwit are like those of
most of its tribe; in flight, it opens its pointed wings at full
length, and beats the air in regular succession; but when
hurried, its wings are only half opened, and the strokes be-
come very quick, whereby its speed is very much increased.
Its walk is not unlike that of the stork, and when at rest, it
invariably stands on one leg, as represented in our Plate.

We have taken great pains to study the natural positions
of the more uncommon British Birds, that are not readily met
with in a wild state, from living specimens that we procured
for that purpose, and which we kept in confinement for seve-
ral years, taking care to supply them with artificial ground
that suited them. It is more interesting by far to have a
collection of living birds, as we have had (for the purpose of
bringing out our quarto edition of British Birds), than the
largest collection of stuffed specimens that can be brought
together, with all their varieties; and we can recommend
the undertaking to any one who has the means, and sufficient
room in his grounds, to try the experiment, provided he
overlooks the general treatment of the birds himself, and has
a keeper who is careful to supply their wants, and to keep
the cages or grounds clean, and well supplied with fresh
water. ‘The first reward for such an establishment consists in
being enabled to watch the manners and habits of the birds,
and next to observe the changes of plumage during moulting;
the different notes of the birds are equally amusing. One
great drawback we must not forget to mention, that will
always attend this fancy, namely, that one never enjoys the
sight of stuffed specimens again.

The present species is exceedingly shy, and the adult birds
cannot be approached within gunshot while feeding or resting

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. OFF

on the ground, at any other time than when they have a nest
or young ones. When asleep this species generally stands
with its head behind its wing.

The food of the Black- tailed Godwit is obtained by boring
the ground with its long beak, and drawing forth worms and
aquatic insects of divers descriptions. The time of feeding
is early in the morning or late in the evening, either on the
muddy shores of rivers, or in meadows where worms may be
found in abundance, but moonlight nights enable it to con-
tinue feeding later.

Migration always takes place during the night; mid-day
being the time for roosting. Sociability is not among the
virtues of these birds, for, except during the time of migration,
when they unite in troops of forty or fifty individuals, they are
not fond of each other’s company. About the beginning of
April this bird arrives in its breeding-place with its mate, and
forms its nest on the ground, not far from the water’s edge ;
the construction of the nest is very trifling ; the hole, which is
scratched in the ground, and only deep enough to hold the
four eggs, is scantily lined with a few grasses and roots. The
bird takes no trouble to conceal her nest, in which the eggs
lay so exposed that they are easily seen. The ground where
the Black-tailed Godwit breeds is, low wet meadows or grassy
banks near water, in places least frequented by men.

The parent birds are very much attached to their young
ones, which they endeavour to defend to the last, by flying
round and round the intruder or enemy; the young birds
are so expert in hiding themselves as soon as they leave the
nest, that it is not very easy to find them without the aid of a
dog. As soon as the young begin to flutter about, the parents
leave them, and retire to some lonely spot, where they await
their change of plumage or autumnal moult, and then begin to
migrate southward. The young birds of the year invariably

28 SCOLOPACIDE.

leave their birth-place last, and are eagerly looked for by
sportsmen, who either shoot them, or take them in horse-hair
springes or nets, for the quality of their flesh is equal to that of
the snipe, and they are much superior in size.

The entire length of the Black-tailed Godwit is seventeen
inches and a half; the beak, from the forehead, measures four
inches and a half; the tarsus, three inches:three lines; the
tibia nearly two inches; the tail three inches and three quar-
ters ; the wing, from the carpus to the tip, nine inches and a
half.

The feathering of the male in summer plumage is as
follows :—The crown of the head reddish-brown, streaked
with black; the forehead, streak over the “eye and chin,
white; cheeks, neck, and breast, pale reddish-brown, the
breast barred with dusky. The back and scapulars black in
the centre of the feathers, each of which is margined and
barred with reddish-brown. Lesser wing-coverts dusky; the
greater coverts deeply margined with white. Belly, thighs,
under tail-coverts and vent, white; the rump white; tail
black, the base of the feathers white. Beak orange at the
base, the tip black. Iris dusky: legs lead colour.

In winter, the plumage differs greatly. The head, neck,
upper parts of the breast, back, and scapulars, are cinereous,
darkest in the centre of the feathers. The wing-coverts more
dusky, deeply margined with pale, greyish ash. The whole
of the under parts white; quills are dusky, with a white
spot at their tips. The shafts and the basal parts of the
outer webs of the quills white, forming a bar across the wing
when open; the tail black, and all except the two middle
feathers, are white at the base, this white in summer plumage
never shews, unless the bird flies or spreads its tail. The
base of the beak is yellowish-orange, the tip dusky.

The egg figured 187 is that of the Black-tailed Godwit.

Hel es oh

BAR-TAILED GODWIT. Q9

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID.

PLATE CLXXXVIILI.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT.

LIMOSA RUFA.

Tue Bar-tailed Godwit is a well-known British Bird,
more numerous than the black-tailed godwit, according to
some ornithologists, and rare according to others: such con-
tradictory accounts can only be reconciled by considering
various circumstances, as is in many instances the case:
namely, whether the locality where the ornithologist resides
suits the bird or not, and what opportunity he has to investi-
gate the matter. The greater number of this species that
are killed here, occur during the time of migration and in
winter, but we know of no instance of its having been
captured or seen during the summer.

The geographical range of the Bar-tailed Godwit is most
probably much the same as that of the black-tailed godwit,
although we are told that it migrates neither so far north nor
south. According to Temminck, it inhabits the borders of
the Baltic in great numbers, and all the swampy marsh-lands
of Germany ; and visits the coasts of Holland, France, and
Spain, during its double migration, in great numbers.

The locality preferred by this bird is well indicated by
the countries it visits, namely, fenny, boggy, marshy, and

D3

30 SCOLOPACIDE.

swampy borders of seas, rivers, ditches, ponds, and lakes.
We are credibly informed by an eye-witness, that the num-
bers of this species that visit the western coast of Denmark
during the month of May, on their passage to the north, is
so great that it is impossible to give a numerical description
of them; the islands between the mouth of the Elbe and the
west coast of Jutland are perfectly covered with them, and
at low water the shores are covered in parts to such an
extent that the eye cannot compass their lines. On the
eastern shores of Denmark it is remarkable how few are met
with, comparatively speaking.

Small flocks are seen in the autumn on the borders of the
Rhine, Elbe, and Oder, but these consist chiefly of young birds.
The greater numbers being found on the sea-coast, where the
country is flat and marshy, prove the fact of their being
maritime birds. During high water, the Bar-tailed Godwits
retire to the neighbouring meadows and fens, where they
appear ever restless, looking out from time to time whether
the sea-water retires, and as soon as they become satisfied
that some land re-appears, they fly up in a body, and continue
to follow the receding waters together, in search of their
favourite food, which consists in the smaller worms and mari-
time insects and their larvee, minute beetles, and the smallest
shell-fish.

The general appearance of the Bar-tailed Godwit is very
handsome ; its finely arched neck; its moderately sized legs
and beak assist in producing a pleasing effect, while the body
is carried in a horizontal position. Its walk is steady and
graceful, to a greater extent than in any of the other Euro-
pean Godwits, but not quick, although it is well enabled to
run fast, if required to do so. When in the act of feeding,
this bird wades frequently up to its belly in the water, but
is never seen to swim or dive from inclination or free-will.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT. 3bl

Its flight is in all respects like that of the foregoing species,
and when alighting it generally raises the tips of its wings
straight upwards just before touching the ground.

Of the reproduction of this present species, nothing is
known beyond the fact of its going northward in the month
of May, and, as before mentioned, remaining all that month
and part of June about the coast of Denmark, and that it
returns southward again in August. It appears somewhat
doubtful where the intermediate time is past. Linnzeus
mentions Lapland; and the only representation of the egg
that we know of is given by Thienemann, a continental
author, who obtained his specimen from Norway. ‘The ap-
pearance of the egg is as follows:—Its shape is somewhat
smaller and narrower than that of the black-tailed godwit,
its colour a pale brownish-olive, with grey spots in the grain
of the shell, and greenish dusky spots and dots on its outer
surface, particularly disposed about the larger end. It is
probable that the number of eggs is four, such being the
case with snipes in general; and the habits of the bird leave
little doubt of the nest being placed on the ground among
short grass or other herbage. We cannot help expressing as
our opinion, considering the circumstances above-mentioned,
that this species retires inland to breed, journeying for that
purpose to the extensive marshes of upper Sweden, and Fin-
land, and part of Lapland; the time of two months, during
which only it is absent from the coast of Denmark, being
too limited for a distant northern journey. ‘Temminck says
that it breeds in England and Holland; if so, we shall one day
or other hear of the eggs being found, but until then we are
not inclined to go in search of them.

The male, in summer plumage, is a very conspicuous ob-
ject ; its head and back part of the neck pale orange-brown,
with streaks of dusky ; chin and streak over the eye reddish-

32 SCOLOPACIDE.

white ; front and sides of the neck, and all the under parts,
reddish-brown ; the back and scapulars are dusky, with edges
and oval spots of orange; rump and tail-coverts white, with
the centres of each feather hair-brown ; some of the tail-
coverts edged with orange-brown ; wing-coverts cinereous,
with darker colouring on the middle of the feathers, and white
edges. The feathers of the belly and vent edged with white;
the flanks and under tail-coverts streaked with dusky. The
outer webs of the quill-feathers are black, the inner are dusky
and mottled with white on their edges; their shafts white.
The tail is barred with dusky and reddish-white ; the beak
is flesh-red at the base, its middle clove-browh, and the tip
black. The legs are lead coloured ; iris dusky.

The winter plumage differs much, and must be described as
follows :—The top of the head, the neck and breast are greyish
white, streaked with dusky ; the back and scapulars cinereous,
the edges of the feather palest ; the shaft and centres of the
feathers slate coloured ; wing-coverts white, the centres of the
feathers dusky. The quills are the same as in the summer
plumage; the tail transversely barred with dusky and very
pale grey, approaching to white. Throat, belly, and vent
white, tinged with yellow ocre, and pale grey; the thighs
and under tail-coverts streaked with dusky.

The entire length of the Bar-tailed Godwit is seventeen
inches and a half; the beak measures three inches; the wing,
from the carpus to the tip, eight inches; the tarsus is one
inch eleven lines; the middle toe one inch five lines.

% e

ent

aU

BROWN SNIPE. 33

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID &.

PLATE CLXXXIX.

BROWN SNIPE.

SCOLOPAX GRISEA.

Tue Brown Snipe is a very rare and accidental visitant in
Great Britain, and was added to the list of British birds
by Col. Montague, who cbtained a specimen in winter
plumage on the coast of Devonshire. Another bird, in
summer plumage, is related by the Rev. L. Jenyns to
have been captured near Yarmouth. The eastern coast
of North America appears, from all that we can learn on
the subject, to be its principal resting place during the
months of April and August, when travelling north and
south; in the spring to more northern climates to breed,
and in the autumn southward towards the equator, where
it passes the winter.

The locality where the Brown Snipe is met with in
North America, is much the same as that which the god-
wits frequent, namely, soft, muddy, and marshy flats by
the sea-side, differing, however, in its frequenting also the
sandy flats and sand-banks at low water. Its food is ob-
tained most probably not so much in the water as in the
mud, by boring for it with its beak; our reason for this
observation is owing to the proportionately short tarsi, and

ok SCOLOPACIDE.

more extensive palmation of the toes, and finally its very
long straight beak.

The food itself consists in small univalve mollusca.

Respecting the breeding and eggs of the present species,
nothing has as yet been ascertained, and consequently, the
nestlings are also unknown. According to Wilson, the
American ornithologist, the flesh of the .Brown Snipe is
exceedingly fine flavoured, and the American sportsmen
slaughter immense numbers for the table every time that
these birds visit their coast.

The entire length of the Brown Snipe is eleven inches ;
the beak two inches and a half; the wing, from the carpus
to the tip five and three quarter inches; the tarsi one
inch and a half; the naked part of the tibia seven lines ;
the middle toe one inch two lines. These are the dimen-
sions of Montague’s specimen in the British Museum,

The crown of the head is reddish-brown, streaked with
black ; between the beak and the eye is a dusky streak;
above the eye runs a white line; the nape and back of
the neck are yellowish-brown, streaked with dusky: the
upper part of the back and scapulars have the centres of
the feathers black, and are edged with reddish-brown and
white: the tertials pale reddish-brown barred with black :
lower part of the back, rump, tail-coverts and tail white,
barred with black: front of the neck, breast, and thighs,
pale orange brown, spotted with black; belly and vent
reddish-white ; under tail-coverts white, and reddish-brown,
barred with black. Legs oil green, tinged with grey: beak
greenish grey, and black at the tip: iris dusky. This is
the bird in summer plumage. The following describes it
in winter :—the chin, cheeks, and streak over the eye, white ;
between the beak and the eye is a dusky streak; the crown
of the head, neck, and upper parts of the breast cinereous,

BROWN SNIPE. 35

tinged with brown-ocre; the upper part of the back and
scapulars have the centres of the feathers dusky, bordered
with grey and brown-ochre. Wing-coverts dusky with paler
edges.

The secondaries and tertials are edged and tipped with
white; breast and belly white; under tail-coverts and vent
white, barred with dusky; rump and tail the same as in
the summer plumage. Quills dusky, the shaft of the first
white.

Or

i a *

iets, Save!

4

WOODCOCK. 37

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID A.

PLATE CXC.

WOODCOCK.

SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA.

Tue Woodcock is such a well-known species in Britain
as an autumnal visitant, that we only have to name the
principal localities where it abounds most, on its arrival. Its
geographical distribution extends over most parts of the
old world. In Europe it ranges from the borders of the
Mediterranean to the highest northern latitudes where trees
grow: in most parts of Asia and Africa the Woodcock
is found, either as a migratory or periodical visitant.

During the summer months, this species inhabits the
northern countries, where it chiefly breeds, and in winter
the milder regions of the south. Deviations from this
general rule, however, occur in different parts of the south of
Europe, where the Woodcock has been found in many
instances to inhabit the highest woods of the mountains
during the summer, and to come down into the valleys on
the approach of winter.

In most counties of Britain the Woodcock is frequently
found to breed and rear its young, provided the locality
suits its habits, and the spot is retired and little fre-
quented by man, particularly in game preserves. It appears

that the bird in question is not able to bear very cold
VOL. V. E

ak

(9)

38 SCOLOPACIDE.

weather, since it is a rare circumstance to meet with one
in the depth of our severe winters, but when the winter
is mild, it occurs throughout the shooting-season till the
spring. Its susceptibily of cold is, doubtless, not the
only reason for the Woodcock forsaking us in severe
winters, but its difficulty in finding food must be great
when the water is frozen, and the ground rendered imper-
vious to its soft bill when hardened by a continued frost.
In this is again seen the wonderful care of Providence,
in instilling that instinct into His creatures which enables
them to pursue the right road towards finding their food
under all gradations of circumstances.

By the end of the month of February, Woodcocks
arrive in small numbers from the southern counties, in
the midlands and Scotland, but the main body does not ap-
pear from the continent before the middle of March, and con-
tinues to arrive for about a month; this is accounted for by
the greater distances the latter have come from. It has
been frequently remarked, that when the swallows arrive
in the spring, there are no more Woodcocks to be expected.
The fact that the number of this species is so much
greater in some years than in others, is very extraordinary,
although the general state of the weather may be the same,
and equally suitable ; but this is supposed to depend upon
the direction of the wind at the time of its autumnal migra-
tion, it being ascertained, that this bird dislikes flying against
the wind if it blows hard, and by directing its course south
with a side wind, it necessarily passes over a different
country, according to circumstances.

It may be useful to remark here, that when the weather
is mild during the month of February, the Woodcock is
sure to begin to move northward about the middle of that
month, and continues to arrive in numbers, and if it freezes

WoobDcock. 39

or snows in the beginning of March, this species remains
almost stationary until the weather becomes milder again ;
allowing the sportsman thus a long time to obtain
specimens. But when the weather is severe and frosty in
February and March, the Woodcock does not start by far
so soon, and when it does begin its migration late in March,
it hurries over the ground it has to pass, and the entire
bulk of them give the sporstman hardly more than a week’s
diversion ; besides which, the bird, by allowing itself scarcely
time to feed by the way, is not found much on the ground,
and is mostly in bad condition for the table.

The Woodcock always travels during the night, after
having previously fed from dusk till dark. hese birds
travel alone, or at most in pairs, which fact has been dis-~
puted by some observers, in consequence of the numbers
that are found in certain localities in the morning, after
a mild autumnal night.

The woods on the north-east side of the islands along the
coast of Denmark, are much frequented by the Woodcock in
the autumn, and similar spots may be searched with frequent
success in our country, namely the north-east sides of hills
covered by copses or woods. It is probable that this bird,
being crepuscular in its habits, prefers that aspect, as being
mostly sheltered from the obtrusive light of day.

As the name of the present species indicates, the favourite
haunts of the Woodcock are woods, but it seems chiefly
to frequent the cover of young trees in preference to large
forests, since it is only met with in the latter localities during
the time of migration, when it will alight in the most un-
likely places for a day’s rest, after a long flight, such as
orchards, hedge-rows, and ditches in open ground.

The reason why the Woodcock at all times seeks for
trees on alighting, is only for the purpose of concealment ;

EQ

40 SCOLOPACIDE.

as it invariably squats on the ground close to a stem among
the foliage, but is never seen perched in a tree. The
springy moist spots in the woods where the foliage is close to
the ground, or where blackberry-bushes are intermixed with
the trees, or where hazel and alders grow, this species seeks
invariably, provided the grass is short, void of moss, and the
ground covered with plenty of decayed foliage; we do not
remember eyer to have put up a Woodcock from spots
where long dead grasses might be supposed to afford him
shelter.

The judgment which birds shew in choosing the locality
the best adapted to their wants is in none more perceptible
than in the Woodcock. This is so remarkable that dur-
ing the time of migration a sportsman, if he knows any
particular spot in a wood that is frequented by this species,
may visit the place several mornings in succession, and he
will be pretty sure to find every day a bird. Persons who
are unacquainted with this fact, believe that if they do not
kill their bird it returns again and again to roost, which after
killing the bird and pocketing it one morning, can certainly
not be the case the next.

The general appearance of the Woodcock is exceedingly
strange and ludicrous, when seen staring from its hiding
place, owing to the length of its forehead, the flatness of the
head, and the large size of the eyes, that appear as if they
lay on the head instead of forming part of its sides; its
walk resembles that of a duck more than a snipe, owing to
the breadth of its body and the shortness of its legs.

The flight of the Woodcock is slow in comparison to that
of all other snipes, but the bird is capable of turning and
twisting itself in all manner of ways, which enables it to fly
through a plantation of trees with peculiar cleverness, and
thereby frequently avoids being shot.

WOODCOCK. 41

When the Woodcock is pursued or put up by the sports-
man, it only flies to a short distance, at no great height, and
settles again by the side of some bush or bramble, if it is
obliged to leave the shelter of trees; or it starts for a neigh-
bouring copse, provided the distance is not more than six
hundred yards; sometimes the bird after leaving a copse,
will return again to it, by flying in a circling direction, and
will thus deceive the sportsman, who has not marked his bird
down.

The Woodcock is very easily known by the peculiar noise
of its wings when flushed; not only the sound produced
b ytheir rounded shape, but a pattering, asif the bird touches
the boughs and foliage, during its progress through the wood.
At night its flight is quicker and higher, and on taking wing
of its own accord for the purpose of beginning its journey,
it rises at once above the wood, and disappears high in the
air.

It is a very remarkable singularity in the Woodcock, that
when it flies it invariably holds its beak pointed ina directions
towards the ground, so as to form a perfect angle with the
line of its back; this position is most probably chosen, that
it may have thefull use of its eyes, which are placed almost
on the top of it head. In the same position it may be seen
standing at rest in cover, with its beak invariably directed
towards the ground.

In the autumn and spring of the year, when Woodcocks
migrate, they frequently rove about for a quarter of an hour
at night and morning, pursuing one another on the wing,
snapping at each other, and tumbling about, either at dusk,
just before dark, or in the morning until daylight; this amuse-
ment or pastime is carried on in open places, avenues, or
meadows, at an elevation of from five to fifty feet from the
ground, and in Holland the inhabitants avail themselves

42 SCOLOPACIDE.

of this opportunity of catching Woodcocks by means of thin
silk nets, of inch-and-a-half meshes; these are suspended
between poles across avenues in parks and pleasure-grounds.
These nets being fastened to poles at their lower end, three
feet from the ground, are hoisted up by means of a pulley,
right and left; to which a small cleft stick is fastened, which
is formed like a linen peg, in the slit of. which the loop
at each top-corner is slightly slipped, so as to fall over the
bird as soon as it flies against the net; which entangles the
more readily by means of the bullets that are attached to the
two top corners of the net. Whether this method would
answer in this country where poaching prevails to a greater
extent than anywhere else on the face of the globe, is
doubtful, but no better mode of obtaining W oodcocks could be
devised, and in Holland we have taken numbers in this way.

In its nature the Woodcock is exceedingly timid, and cen-
sequently it is never seen flying about during the day-time,
unless it has been startled from its hiding-place; under such
circumstances it throws itself as soon as possible to the ground,
where it remains flat until all danger seems distanced, when
it flies again to the cover of trees or brambles; the latter
being generally a favourite shelter even in the woods. The
colouring of this bird harmonizes so completely with the dead
foliage on the ground, or with the roots of trees, that it re-
quires an eye of extraordinary quickness to detect it in its
usual seat. The large eyes of the Woodcock are the only
means by which the bird can be distinguished when on the
ground.

The Wocdcock utters several sounds, which are difficult to
describe ; we shall, however, attempt it ; at dark in the even-
ing it repeats a word somewhat like tseep, pronounced very
lispingly and damped. When flushed, it says catch, catch !
or dack, dack! expressive of alarm and fear.

WOODCOCK. 4B

The food generally found in the stomach of the Wood-
cock, consists of the remains of worms, insects and their
larvae, which the bird obtains from under decayed foliage,
among roots, and in springy bogs, and also the fibres of roots
and bog-plants, but whether these are taken inadvertently with
the insects, or sought for with equal relish, cannot be decided.
In the darkness of the night the Woodcock visits also the
meadows where cattle feed, provided these are close to their
natural cover.

The manner in which the Woodcock obtains its food is by
turning the decayed matter over with its beak, in lumps of
four or five inches in width, and these lumps are generally
found perfectly perforated by its beak. ‘The well-informed
sportsman can consequently easily find the spot in a wood
where the Woodcock is in the habit of feeding, since other
birds, such as black-birds and thrushes, do not turn the
foliage over in lumps without perfectly pulling it to pieces,
neither do they perforate it. Moist boggy ground is in a
similar manner bored into, hole beside hole, in its search for
worms and bog insects.

The Woodcock is capable of being kept in confine-
ment, and must be fed on worms and bread-and-milk.

The breeding of this species takes place in most parts of
north and central Kurope, but more particularly in mountain
forests, that skirt valleys and border rivers. In May the
female seeks a retired spot among moss and long grasses
under the shelter of a small bush, or among roots and bram-
bles; she there scratches a hole in the ground, lines it some-
times with a few grasses, at others not at all, and deposits
her four eggs in it, which are in size, shape, and colouring as
represented in our Plate. It requires seventeen days incuba-
tion to hatch the eggs, during which time the bird sits very
close. The young run out of the nest as soon as hatched,

44 SCOLOPACID.

and become nearly full-feathered in three weeks, when they
begin to flutter about and desert their parents.

The length of the Woodcock is thirteen inches and three
quarters ; the beak measures two inches and three quarters ;
the tarsus one inch four lines and a half; the middle toe
one inch and eight lines; the wing, from the carpus to
the tip, seven inches ten lines.

The forehead and top of the head are Pe tinged
with burnt-sienna. ‘The hinder part of the head and nape
have four broad, blackish: brown, transverse bars on a rufous
ground; from the base of the beak to the eye extends a
brownish black mark. The chin is white. On the upper
part of the breast are two patches of rufous, which differ
in depth of colour in different specimens. The upper
parts of the bird are a mixture of brown, black, yellow,
and grey, with various markings and pencillings of black,
darkest on the back and scapulars. The rump and tail-
coverts are pale chestnut, some of the feathers of the coverts
are tipped with rufous-white, and transversely barred with
black. The tail is black with small brown spots; the tips
of the feathers pearl-grey above, and white on the under
surface. The quills are dusky with bars of chestnut brown.
The adult male has the outer quill-feather only imperfectly
barred, the immature and female entirely so. . All the under
parts are greyish-white tinged with yellow and rufous, and
transversely barred with hair-brown pencillings.

Vent and under tail-coverts yellowish white with black
triangular central spots. Legs livid flesh-colour tinged with
grey ; the base of the bill the same, the centre clove-brown
and the tip dusky. The iris deep cleve-brown.

The egg figured 190 is that of the Woodcock

199»

PL. 1g!.

SOLITARY SNIPE. 4D

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID&:.

PLATE CXCI.

SOLITARY SNIPE.

SCOLOPAX MAJOR.

Tue Solitary or Great Snipe is at present more generally
met with in Britain than formerly, or, is at least better
known since Pennant pointed out the distinction between
this and the common snipe, which latter is the most probable
case ; it is not, however, by far so numerous as that species.

The flesh of this bird is in some respects preferable for
the table to that of the common snipe, in consequence of
its generally being in much better condition as to fat.

The geographical distribution of this species does not
extend further north than Sweden in Europe; neither does
it appear far north in Asia nor in America, but extends its
winter sojourn over the entire Continent of Europe and
greater part of Asia, and in America as far as Brazil.

The locality chiefly sought by this species appears. to be
low wet meadows and flats, and extensive grassy plains that
border lakes and rivers, and that serve more for feeding cattle
than for the production of hay, where the ground has, for the
most part, been trampled into holes; in these situations it has
still its peculiar spots, namely, where the bright or pale
green, rank grasses vegetate, such as the jack-snipe frequents,
and which the common snipe does not resort to.

46 SCOLOPACIDE.

One morning in the autumn when seeking for snipes
on Chertsey mead, we came to a similar spot close by the
Thames, and where the said rank grass never, to our know-
ledge, harboured a common snipe; our dog put up two
of the present species just at the moment when we had
turned away from the river; they were so large that we at
first took them to be teals, which are there frequently met
with ; the ground among this grass is too dry to invite the
common snipe to alight, and would, therefore, suit the
general taste of the Solitary Snipe better. Unfortunately
these two rare birds, by crossing the river immediately,
deprived us of the chance of following, and shooting them.
The present species is by far less fond of water than the
common snipe, only frequenting grass lands that are moist
from the effects of dew rising from the neighbouring water ;
but on drifting or floating bogs it is never found.

The Solitary Snipe, when seen on the ground, stands
generally with its beak pointed to the ground, like the
woodcock, its neck much shortened, and on straight legs;
its walk is easy, but it does not run fast; its flight is
not quick, and is performed at a low elevation, and in a
straight line. Unless this bird is put up, it does not
show itself during the day, but remains quiet among
its grassy and uneven shelter, and requires to be started
again and again, if the place will allow its being pursued.

When the present species is put up, or when it alights
in the dusk of the evening, it does not utter any sound
hke the common snipe; but it has been remarked by a
friend, that where two of these birds meet, they will call once
or twice to each other, uttering the word bad, bad!

The Solitary Snipe feeds, like others of its family, on
worms and insects that are found in the spots generally fre-
quented by them ; and in many instances caddis worms, with

SOLITARY SNIPE. AG

their curious cases, are found in their stomachs, and also many
grains of sand ; but, contrary to the practice of others of its
tribe, this bird is said to cast these cases and other sub-
stances in long pellets. Evening is the chief feeding-time of
this bird, when it roves about on the muddy grounds by the
water's edge.

The present species does not breed further north than
Liefland, and frequently in Hanover and Oldenburg; whe-
ther it has occurred in Britain we have not been able to as-
certain, although we see no reason why such should not be the
case.

The locality, before described, in which the Solitary Snipe
is found, is also the place where the nest and eggs are to be
looked for in the beginning of May; the male and female
may then be found not far apart on the ground, where they
lie so close that they may be knocked down, and on taking
wing they very soon settle again close by, alighting on a hillock
or grassy knoll, in the midst of the swamp or shallow bog where
the young grass is about half a foot high. In preparing her
nest, the female presses the grass in the centre somewhat flat,
rounds the spot a little, and lines it tolerably well with dry
grasses and fragments of herbage ; in it four eggs are depo-
sited by the end of the month of May. After seventeen days’
incubation, the young birds run about, and are assisted by
the parents in procuring their food for about a month, but
are very difficult to find in their secure retreats among bogs
and uneven ground.

Not having the egg to figure from, we must remain satis-
fied for the present with describing it from an account re-
ceived from good authority.

The length of the egg is twenty-two lines, and its width
sixteen ; its shape much resembling that of the black-tailed
godwit. Its texture is fine-grained and dull, of a yellow

48 SCOLOPACIDE,

olive-green. In the body of the shell are several dots and
spots of dingy grey, and on the outer surface are many dusky
spots of round, oblong, and irregular shapes, that are most
plentiful near the larger end.

The Solitary Snipe measures twelve inches and a half in
length: its beak two inches and three quarters. The crown
of the head is black, with a central line of cream-colour ;
cheeks, orbits, and throat, white, speckled with dusky; the
nape pale rufous, with black spots; back and scapulars black
and rufous-brown, the feathers partly edged with straw-colour;
greater coverts tipped also with white. All the under parts
white, spotted with black and rufous brown, Quills dusky.
The tail consists of sixteen feathers, which are barred with
black and chestnut ; the tips white. Beak dusky at the tip,
browner about its middle, and flesh-coloured at the base ; legs

olivaceous grey.

j i
iin) :
Yi OR i aR
i i earn ff

orn

PLIQD.

SABINE’S SNIPE. 49

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID &.

PLATE CXCII.
SABINE’S SNIPE
SCOLOPAX SABINI.

Tuis rare species has occurred in the British islands in
only three or four instances that we are acquainted with, from
one of which specimens we figured our Plate. We are un-
able to say where it breeds, or what countries it inhabits,
since no continental ornithologist even mentions this bird,
nor is there a specimen on record in any continental collec-
tion.

The first mention of the bird in question was made by
Mr. Vigors, to whom a specimen was forwarded the same day
it had been shot in Queen’s County, Ireland, in August,
1822, and who has described it in the fourteenth volume of
the “Transactions of the Linnean Society.” Mr. Vigors
named the bird in honour of the chairman of the Zoological
Society of that period.

The measurements of the Sabine’s Snipe are nine inches
two lines in length ; the beak two inches and a half; the
tarsus one inch three lines; the wing, froin the carpus to the
tip, five inches. The entire colouring of the upper plumage
is reddish dusky, from the forehead to the rump, the under
the same, but paler in tint. The rump is more greyish dusky,
as also the vent ; some of the wing-coverts, and the sides of

50 SCOLOPACIDE.

the neck and breast, are tinted with ferruginous-brown, and
the tail, which consists of twelve feathers, is ferruginous at
its tips. The whole surface of the plumage is spotted and
barred with black, as represented in our Plate; the quills are
dusky. The beak is dusky, with olivaceous brown at the
base ; the legs dusky. We find no account of the colour of
the eyes when fresh killed, and have coloured them con-
sequently in harmony with those of its family, dusky.

PL 198

SNIPE. 51

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACTD 4.

PLATE CXCIII.

SNIPE.

SCOLOPAX GALLINAGO.

Tue Snipe is one of the most common winter visitants of
Great Britain, and occurs in greater numbers than any other
game bird. Its geographical distribution is so very general,
that it would be a difficult task to name a country where the
bird is not known, but, owing to its semi-aquatic nature, it is
more numerous in some spots than in others. In some parts
of Ireland Snipes meet with such suitable ground, that the
numbers dispersed about are almost incredible to persons who
have not seen them. In the swampy parts of many counties
in England, it is as common to find Snipes in October and
March, as sparrows in the farm-yard. In Holland the num-
bers of this species are also very considerable ; but according
to accounts that we receive from travellers in India, and
officers who have been stationed there, in the service of the
Kast India Company, the numbers there are so immense as to
put Europeans entirely out of conceit with the numbers that
are ever met with here. ‘The most remarkable circumstance
that we ever heard of in England, connected with Snipe
shooting, was that of a gentleman at Chertsey, in Surrey, who
killed nineteen Snipes at one shot, with a double-barrelled
gun, out of a flock that swept over an osier-bed.

VOL. V. F

52 SCOLOPACID 2.

The favourite haunts of the Snipe are swampy meadows,
interspersed with patches of black mud or peat-bogs. Where
the Snipe does not immediately meet with such a spot, it
alights in the evening in wet meadows or moist heath-ground
on commons, on the grassy banks of ditches, rivers, and
ponds, or in osier-beds; and during windy weather particu-
larly, among willow-stumps, felled copse-wood, and even
turnip-fields. It is under such circumstances that the sports-
man meets with it without going to the dangerous and la-
borious, though most proper, places.

The food of the Snipe consists in small worms, insects, and
vegetable substances ; the former of which it obtains by boring
the moist ground of its usual abode with its long and slender
beak.

The locality chosen by the Snipe affords it also every ne-
cessary for breeding. The nest is usually placed under the
shelter of decayed tall grasses, and consists in a shallow hole
scratched in the ground, which the bird lines with a few dry
bents and stalks of heath or bog-plants; in it four eggs are
deposited, which are in colour and size like that repre-
sented in our Plate. The young leave the nest as soon as
they are hatched, and are under the care of the parents until
they are able to provide for themselves.

The usual mode of obtaining Snipes is by shooting them
when on the wing, going in pursuit of them with a good
pointer dog. ‘The value of Snipes in the market is not suf-
ficient to make a trade of obtaining them, although great
numbers are brought to market from localities where idle
gunners are enabled to kill numbers in one day; neither is it
a pastime for persons who are not fond of continually wading
in bogs, or walking over uneven ground, where it becomes
very laborious to keep one’s footing (these being the most
proper places to meet with the game in question). The re-

SNIPE. 53

quisites for a Snipe-shooter are,—a good pair of water boots,
a staunch pointer, which hunts close and. steadily, carries
quick, and lies down while the gun is reloaded, and finally,
a perfectly clean gun, No. 8 shot, and dry powder. Thus
equipped, the dexterity and good aim of the sportsman may
get a dozen or twenty Snipes in one spot, provided he travels
slowly over the ground, and keeps cool and collected.

In Snipe-shooting, the weather is also to be taken into
consideration, which we will here notice for the information
of such of our readers as cannot entirely give up their time
to choose any day in particular. When the day is windy, the
Snipes are very wild, and get up before any one can reach
their station ; under these circumstances the sportsman must
walk his game up with the wind, particularly as the bird
rises by preference against it, because in this case the Snipe,
getting up, will either have to encounter that obstruction,
and be thus retarded in its flight, or will fly sideways, re-
maining within the first distance of the sportsman for a suf-
ficient time to give another chance.

Rainy weather is the worst time of all to go in pursuit of
Snipes, in consequence of the very unpleasant fact that the
sportsman receives the watery element not only from below
in greater quantity, but from above, and the birds besides do
not lie so close. Clear, mild, and still weather is the most
proper and pleasant ; when the sportsman travels step by step
over the uneven ground, picking his way leisurely, and being
at all times prepared to level his gun without having to con-
sider other difficulties; he can then watch his dog closely,
and follow him uninterruptedly, either straight forward or to
the right or left, so that when a point is made, or the Snipe
gets up close to him, he is as near as is necessary to kill it.
In order to gain this latter point, the sportsman must be
quick at aiming, and very collected ; but practice alone can

54 SCOLOPACIDE.

teach the art of doing this instantaneously, namely, aiming
and firing with precision and without loss of time. Should
he be hurried, and consequently miss once or twice, it is best
to go and sit down for a time, and then begin again fresh and
collected, with a cool determination of killing thenext. This
last advice is not to be forgotten under any circumstances,
whether at snipe or partridge shooting, for the humour, state
of mind, nervousness, or slight indisposition of body, or over-
anxiety to obtain game, will undoubtedly tend to spoil a day’s
sport greatly.

In looking for Snipes one must, as it were, sneak along,
without splashing in the mud, or talking to a companion, or
even to a dog; and though several Snipes should get up out
of shot, he must steadily continue his course, for in most in-
stances some birds remain on the ground, which will only get
up singly.

When the sportsman has killed his bird, he must reload
immediately, before picking up his game, if he goes with-
out a dog; for between him and his prize there may be
more Snipes lying concealed, and they might be secured
also. ‘The Snipe must either be fired at the instant he gets
up, or the pulling of the trigger must be delayed, until the
zigzag flight of the bird is past, and he commences his straight
forward departure. This latter chance is uncertain, in con-
sequence of the distance the bird has gained, but while
the right and Jeft movement goes on, there is no calculating
upon killing a Snipe. In the beginning of the autumn
the Snipe is more difficult to shoot than in the winter,
owing to its evolutions to the right and left on taking
wing.

A good Snipe-shot may kill from seventy to eighty in a
day with a single gun, and it has been said that some have
even brought down a hundred under favourable circumstances.

SNIPE. 55

One mode of walking Snipes up is, by making a screen of thin
twigs and flags, the sportsman advancing very slowly with it
before him; there must of course be an opening left in the
screen to look through, and the screen must be large enough
to hide the person from head to foot. Under these cir-
cumstances half a charge of powder and shot is quite suffi-
cient to kill the bird on the ground. Many inventions are
resorted to in order to catch Snipes in horse-hair springes,
most of which are next to useless; the best of them known
to us is by treading a narrow path along the side of a bog,
and sticking right and left a row of green osiers or flags in
the ground, so as to form an avenue in miniature; all along
the inside of this avenue horse-hair nooses must be suspended,
and some laid down on the ground, in which the Snipes are
pretty certain to be caught when they run along this shelter,
which they are sure to take advantage of in such open local-
ities. - On the aits in the Thames we know that the fisher-
men catch Snipes by fastening horse-hair nooses to a peg
which is stuck in the ground in spots where the Snipes are
known to come and feed at night; we have ourselves had
several Snipes brought to us alive that were thus obtained,
and have no doubt that it is as good a mode as can be put in
practice.

Many persons watch for Snipes in the evening near spots
where they come to feed, but this proceeding is uncertain of
success, and attended with some danger from the unwhole-
some air of such spots, unless the weather is very mild and
fine. We have seen one of the fishermen on the Thames
take a low stool to sit upon, watching for Snipes in the even-
ing; and this plan has a double advantage in bringing one’s
sight close to the ground, since the Snipes, coming down
to a pool, must be fired at the instant they alight, after which
it is impossible to see them in the dusk. We have ourselves

56 SCOLOPACIDE.

put this method of watching for them in practice, in order to
observe the habits of the birds in question.

We believe that most practised sportsmen know the local-
ity where Snipes are to be looked for, but it may be as well
to add a short notice on this subject for the use of the mex-
perienced.

In our latitude, Snipes arrive twice in the year; first in
the month of March, on their way northward, where they
breed ; and again in September and October, on their course
southward, to pass the winter. It is not exactly known how
far south the Snipe migrates to pass the winter, but it is a
well known fact, that in the Pontine marshes near Rome,
the number congregated during the winter months exceeds all
conception, which eye-witnesses have proved by firing a gun
near the spot, when so many Snipes get up as to form as it
were a cloud of smoke rising, of the numbers composing
which, it is impossible to make any statement or calculation.
The unsociable nature of the Snipe is here clearly proved,
insomuch as that these birds will lie close beside one another
without taking notice of their neighbours, and when they
rise in a body, each takes its own way, and settles far or near
according to its fancy, without caring what becomes of the
rest. After a time, single birds are seen again to return to
the spot.

This latter propensity enables a person, who waits for
them in the evening, to killa Snipe and return to his post
over and over again, waiting for the next comer. Where the
number of any species of birds is so great during the time
of migration, many travel the same road, and a circumstance,
as before-mentioned, of a person killing so many at one shot
is possible under particular circumstances, although not of
frequent occurrence. The Snipe always travels at night; the

first sign of its vicinity is its peculiar note, and almost um-

SNIPE. ii

mediately the splash on the wet ground is heard, for the
Snipe, when it means to alight, drops itself down like a fall-
ing stone. All moist, boggy, and swampy meadows, inter-
sected with drains, ditches, hollows or broken ground, banks
of rivers, ponds, or canals, suit the taste and habits of the
Snipe. Where the grass is long enough for cover, or where
decayed flags and rushes abound, the Snipe generally remains
concealed during the day, but where these wet places are
only covered by short vegetation, and afford no shelter, there
is not much chance of finding these travellers.

When frost sets in sufficiently to close the water, the
Snipe resorts to commons where the vegetation shelters the
springy bogs from being entirely frozen over. During
boisterous weather, the Snipe resorts to the shelter of stumps
and underwood along ditches and pools, and to furze-covered
commons. When still thaw-weather sets in, after a long
frost, there is hardly a spot among its favourite localities
where the Snipe is not to be found, and consequently a day
when the snow melts, and the ground is what we should call
exceedingly uninviting to walk out, is most excellent for
going out Snipe-shooting. Boggy ground, which only ap-
pears as if it would bear a person, but which actually fails
even under the weight of a dog, is the most proper resting-
place of Snipes, but as such places cannot generally be
traversed, the above-named localities are the most advisable
for a sportsman to go in search of. In the spring of the
year the Snipes come to us with a southerly wind, and in
the autumn with a northerly, north-easterly, or north-
westerly wind.

It is very well for the sportsman that the Snipe is so
tender that the least thing brings it to the ground; and
although this is well-known, we will give a proof of it, by
the fact, that when out Snipe-shooting in Holland, with a

58 SCOLOPACIDE,

relative who was able to give us many a good day’s sport, owing
to his being at the head of this branch of the management
of Woods and Forests, we have killed great numbers of
Snipes during the day, and at the end of our day’s work, on
emptying our pockets, it frequently occurred that two or
three birds flew away, as if nothing had happened to them ;
these birds could consequently only have been stunned by
the blow of a single shot.

The entire length of the Snipe is eleven inches and a half;
beak two inches ten lines; the tarsus one inch two lines.

The top of the head, back, and scapulars are black,
streaked with chestnut and yellow ochre; wing-coverts
dusky, with edges of cream white; the quills are black.
The chin and throat are white; the sides of the face, neck,
and upper part of the breast are spotted with dusky-grey ;
and tinged with ferruginous brown; and this latter colour
indicates the time of the year when the bird was killed
more than anything else. In autumn and winter, the rufous
colour predominates, and in the spring, the ground colour of
these parts is pure white; on the thighs are numerous dusky
bars; the lower part of the breast, the belly, and vent, are
white. The tail is black, with bright ferruginous bars; the
tips of the feathers are white ; the beak is dark clove-brown,
and dusky at the tip; its base is flesh-red. The colour of
the legs are pearl-grey, tinged with green. The eye is dusky.

The egg figured 193 is that of the Snipe.

'

: Wed

Pea as} f
AN RA Are
ney

i Path Ae

an ily teal
i

PL (94

JACK SNIPE. 59

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID.

PLATE CXCIV.

JACK SNIPE.

SCOLOPAX GALLINULA.

THe Jack Snipe is of frequent occurrence in Britain,
wherever the locality suits its habits; this bird is also met
with in most parts of Europe, Northern Asia, Africa, and
America ; its habits being more solitary than those of the
Common Snipe, it is nowhere, to our knowledge, known to
congregate in numbers. Although we have gone in search
of Snipes in several parts of Hurope, we have never put up
more than one bird of this species at a time, although two
frequently may be found within from fifty to a hundred yards
apart.

The localities frequented by the present species are swampy
borders of rivers, lakes, and ditches that are covered with
rank grasses, extending some way in the water; among the
shelter of this herbage the Jack Snipe lies very close, even to
a remarkable degree. The fact that we meet with the Jack
Snipe earlier in the autumn, and later in the spring of the
year than the common Snipe, strengthens the information we
have received, and which also corresponds with our own
opinion, that it does not migrate so far north for the purpose
of breeding, as the foregoing species. It has very rarely
happened that we have seen the common Snipe in autumn,

60 SCOLOPACID.

until we have killed several of the present species ; and as the
Jack Snipe is by far more exclusively attached to particular
situations than any other of its family, we invariably pay
certain spots in our neighbourhood an annual visit, in order
that we may ascertain if there is a chance of finding Snipes.
About the second or third week in September, the Jack
Snipe is usually at its post, and from a week to a fortnight
after that time the common Snipe is heard towards the evening
to alight in the wet meadows and ditches.

The Jack Snipe travels during the night, feeds early and
late, and roosts or sleeps during the day.

The general appearance of the Jack Snipe when walking
on the ground, is hardly possible to describe, since we have
never seen one of these beautiful creatures on its legs, but
invariably lying close to the ground ; its flight is not by far
so swift as that of the common Snipe, is very unsteady, and
most of all resembling that of the bat, as it rolls about from
side to side, fluttering its wings irregularly. A sportsman
going in pursuit of the Jack Snipe, requires some practice
to make sure of the bird, and ought not to be in a hurry to
fire at it before he marks the direction the bird intends to
take when at a certain height from the ground. — It affords
some merriment to see an inexperienced hand meet with
a Jack Snipe, as the bird is not easily shot, and settles
generally close to the spot it has left ; thus the unpractised
sportsman fires a good many shots at the same bird before he
obtains it.

The food of the bird in question consists in aquatic insects,
larvee, and small worms, for which it bores the mud, or soft
wet sand.

Respecting the breeding of the Jack Snipe we know very
little, as the bird is rarely met with during the summer
months ; we are informed, however, that great numbers

JACK SNIPE. 61

annually breed in Liefland and Finland, making a nest on a
grassy knoll like the common Snipe, and laying four eggs,
which are in size and colour as represented in our plate.

The entire length of the Jack Snipe is eight inches
six lines; the beak measures an inch and three-quarters.
The crown of the head is black, the feathers edged with
rufous brown. From the beak extends a cream-coloured band
over the eye, down the nape. Between the beak and eye is
a space of wood-brown. The cheeks white, with the tips of
the feathers black, forming a mixture of middle tint. The
throat is white; lower part of the neck and the breast wood-
brown, tinged with grey, and spotted with dusky. The back
and inner webs of the scapulars black, reflecting olive and pur-
ple; the scapular feathers are long and narrow, and their outer
webs are of a rich cream yellow, thereby producing two bands
of that colour down the back. The wing-coverts are black,
the feathers edged with wood-brown and white. The tail is
dusky, edged with very pale rufous. Belly and vent white.
The legs and toes are pearl grey, with a greenish tinge. The
beak is dusky, darkest at the tip, and flesh-coloured at the
base, with a bloom of grey. The eye is dusky.

The egg figured 194 is that of the Jack Snipe.

62 SCOLOPACID®.

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID &.

PLATE CXCV.
RUFF.
MACHETES PUGNAX.

Tue Ruff and Reeve, as the male and female of this
species are called, are among the most extraordinary of all
known species of the feathered tribes, principally on account
of the endless variety of plumage and colouring that they
present; and we consider this also one of the most bewildering
species for a young naturalist to meet with. We have had
a great number of males, females, and young birds at the
same time brought to us, but not two resembled each other
either in plumage or colouring of legs, beaks, or orbits, nor
were alike in size. In Britain the species is well known,
and annually seen in its proper locality, chiefly in Norfolk
and Lincolnshire. In Holland greater numbers congregate
than in any other part of Europe, although the species is
very generally distributed over Europe, Asia, and Africa,
even as far as the Cape of Good Hope.

The Ruff is a migratory bird, passing the winter in
milder regions than our own, and returning in the spring
of the year to breed, as well here as further northward,
yet not beyond central Norway in Europe, or Siberia in

Asia.

: (
AN

ta
5

RUFF. 63

The locality inhabited by the Ruff is wet marshy tracts,
where their peculiar courtship is annually exhibited in the
following manner. By the end of April cr beginning of
- May, several Ruffs choose, each for himself, a stand on
an elevated spot on the boggy ground at a little distance
from the rest, and on the arrival of a Reeve (the female)
the champions all begin to fight until the victor carries off
the bride. These scenes may be witnessed day after day
during the months of April and May. The nest is placed
on a grassy lump in the moist swampy part of the neigh-
bourhood, and four eggs as represented in our plate are de-
posited in it. By the end of August the young are fully
fledged, and congregate in September to depart for their
winter quarters in company with the old females; the male
birds migrate by themselves in flocks, and are said to live
sociably and peaceably through the winter; they depart
some days earlier than the females and young birds, to re-
turn in the same order in the spring of the year.

The food of the Ruff is worms and aquatic insects, which
it finds in abundance in its usual abode.

The Ruff is not a shy bird, and can easily be kept
in confinement. In the fenny districts of Lincolnshire,
numbers are annually caught alive by means of folding
nets; and this is also practised in Holland, In order to
entice the birds to the spot, call-birds, or stuffed birds
are disposed in various parts of the ground, and when new
ones are captured, they are caged and fattened for the mar-
kets. Fortunately, for the good of the bird-catchers, the
Ruff invariably feeds well on bread and milk, steeped grain,
and fig-dust or barley-meal, which improves the condition
and fattens the bird fast; its flesh is greatly prized by
many.

The measurements of the Ruff are as follows :—entire

6-4 SCOLOPACIDE,

length of the bird twelve inches and a half; beak one
inch and a half; tarsus one inch two lines, tail two inches
eight lines, wing, from the carpus to the tip, seven inches
and a half.

The adult male in the spring or breeding season has
two tufts of elongated feathers on the head and a ruff of
elongated feathers around the neck, which stand very con-
spicuously erect, especially during the excitement of their
daily battles.

The colouring of these feathers varies in each individual
from white, yellow, and rufous, barred with black, to black
with metallic reflexions; sides of the breast and thighs
are pale reddish-brown, barred with black, or entirely black.
The middle of the belly, vent, and under tail-coverts are
white. The four middle tail-feathers are barred with black ;
the remainder of one and the same colour: quills dusky.
The sides of the face from the gape above and below
the eyes are covered with orange-coloured warty tubercles.
The beak and legs are bright orange-red. The eyes hazel.

The male in autumn and winter has none of the elon-
gated feathers about the head or neck. The under parts,
from the throat to the vent, are white in some, and in
others spotted with black, or black with white bars; the
breast rufous with darker brown spots. The upper parts
vary in every individual. The beak and legs are raw-umber-
brown.

The female, or Reeve, has never any crest or elongated
feathers about her neck; the upper parts are cinereous-
brown, chequered with black, that reflects rich steel-blue ;
the under parts the same, but many tints lighter; belly
and vent white; the beak is dusky, or black, the legs wine-
yellow.

The young of the year resemble the females, but have

RUFF. 65
a tint of reddish-grey about the breast, and a general dusky
colouring over the upper parts, where the feathers are edged
with pale rust-colour ; the under parts are white; the beak
is black, and the legs and feet oil-green.

The egg figured 195 is that of the Ruff.

ate SEA
Peal p atid 6 <i anal? saggy”
, gt Fin alah doa ote
Iw od hak ap rt

~

VY

~

9A

KNOT. 67

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID &.

PLATE CXCVI
KNOT.
TRINGA CANUTUS.

THE Knot is a migratory species in this country; it visits
Great Britain early in the autumn, and remains with us
during the winter until the month of May, when it departs
for the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere, to breed
and bring up its young. During its stay with us, the Knot
inhabits the coast in considerable numbers, sufficient to enable
the different markets to obtain a certain supply ; its flesh is
considered by many to be a delicacy.

Besides the maritime countries of Europe, the Knot is
also found during the autumn and winter months in Asia
and America; but in countries distant from the sea it occurs
but seldom. In the summer, the Knot inhabits the arctic
regions.

The habits of the Knot are much in unison with those
of others of its family, but its short legs and greater
plumpness give it a peculiar appearance, and easily distinguish
it at a single glance from them.

The Knot is a very nimble bird when on the ground, and
its flight is performed with great quickness, and without
much apparent exertion; thus it advances in a straight

VOL. V. G

68 SCOLOPACID£.

line, on strong wings, with regular strokes, generally not
more than a few feet above the surface of the ground or
water. The present species is not very shy, and may
easily be approached within gun-shot, provided it is not
frequently disturbed; on its arrival in the autumn, it is
indeed so unwary, that when a shot is fired into a flock of
them with fatal effect, the survivors on the sands rise in a
body, and, after circling round about, frequently alight again
among their slaughtered companions. In former times, Knots
were captured by means of nets, like those used for ruffs at
present, and the birds were kept in confinement and fed
plentifully, in order to improve their condition. This proves
that the bird may be kept in confinement; and we think
it strange that advantage has never been taken of this, in
order to obtain a specimen of an egg of this bird, which
is hitherto unknown to European ornithologists. The
call-note uttered by the Knot is a sharp, high-toned twee !
twee! well known to persons residing near the sea-coast,
and most frequently uttered in the spring of the year,
when a flock of the birds take wing. Its food consists
of aquatic insects, small worms, and the larve of most
insects, which it searches for early and late in the day,
and during moonlight nights. During the daytime, the
Knot roosts, or goes about lazily. When in confinement,
this species readily consumes bread and milk, with small
worms, or finely-chopped raw meat.

Concerning the propagation of the Knot, nothing is
satisfactorily known, if we except a statement of Dr.
Richardson, who informs us that it breeds in the Hudson’s
Bay, where its four eggs are deposited on a bare tuft of
withered grass.

The Knot measures ten inches in length.

The summer plumage of the adult male is of a uniform

KNOT. 69

orange-coloured brown on the throat, sides, and fore-part
of the neck, breast, and belly; where the light shines upon
the breast it reflects a rose-copper. ‘Top of the head,
nape, and hinder part of the neck, orange-brown, with
black streaks, and a few small white spots. The back and
the scapulars are black, barred and marked with orange-
brown; the edges of the feathers mostly white; rump,
and upper tail-coverts barred with black, white, and orange-
brown, ‘Tail-feathers dusky, with rust-coloured edges ;
the beak and legs are bluish-black; the shafts of the
feathers are white ; iris dusky.

There is no difference in the plumage of the male and
female, unless closely compared together, when that of
the male bird will be found to be the brightest.

The adult in winter has a very different appearance,
the top of its head being of a brownish grey, with the
shafts of the feathers darker; this colour extends over the
neck, back, scapulars, and wing-coverts; the latter being
tipped with white, form a white bar on the wing; between
the beak and the eye is a dusky streak, and a white streak
over the eye. The forehead, throat, and all the under
parts are white; the sides of the neck and front are
streaked with wood-brown; the breast and flanks trans-
versely barred with the same. The rump and upper tail-
coverts white, and barred with black in crescent-shaped
figures ; tail-feathers cinereous, with white edges. Beak
and legs blackish-grey ; iris dusky.

70 SCOLOPACIDE,

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID 4.

PLATE CXCVII.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER.

TRINGA RUFESCENS.

Tue Buffbreasted Sandpiper was first brought into
notice as a visitor in Britain by Mr. Yarrell, from a speci-
men shot in the month of September 1826, in the parish
of Melbourne, in Cambridgeshire, from among a flock of
the common dotterels, with which it is supposed to have
come from its breeding-place in the Polar regions. Since
that period, several specimens have been obtained, although
only as solitary birds. In America this bird is more plenti-
ful, and we are informed that it is not uncommon in the
Boston markets.

Very little is known of the habits of the Buffbreasted
Sandpiper; the localities it frequents are the banks of rivers
or the sea-shore; its food, from observations made on the
contents of its stomach, seems to consist of insects, both
aquatic and others, among which rank the grasshopper and
small worms.

In consequence of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper having
been found to inhabit the Arctic circle during our sum-
mer months, it is supposed to breed there, but passes the

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. val

winter season principally in the warmer parts of the continent
of America as far south as the Brazils.

The measurements of the bird before us are as follows:
from the tip of the beak to the extremity of the middle
tail-feathers its length is nearly eight inches ; from the carpus
to the tip of the wing five inches three lines; the beak
measures nine lines to the forehead, and one inch to the
gape ; the tarsus measures one inch two lines; the naked
part of the tibia six lines.

The British-killed specimen, from which our drawing
was made, bore the following plumage: all the upper plum-
age and upper part of the breast are, as its name in-
dicates, of a beautiful buff colour, the rest of the under
parts being only slightly tinged with the same; from the
forehead over the top of the head, reaching as far as the
eyes and ear-coverts, the centres of the feathers are dusky,
thereby forming a beautiful appearance of regular rows of
scales. The back and sides of the neck, and the sides and
front of the breast, are spotted with dusky in a much smaller
degree, owing to the lesser extent of that colour on each
feather.

The feathers on the back, scapulars, and tertials are
dusky in the shafts and inner ring of the borders, with a
diffusion of that colour in a lighter degree; the edges of
these feathers are white. The lesser wing-coverts are dusky,
with buff-coloured edges; the larger wing-coverts more
broadly edged with dusky, in consequence of which the wing
has a dusky band across when the wings are closed. From
the carpus to the tip of the spurious wing the feathers
on the ridge of the wing are broadly edged with white ;
the quill and tail-feathers are dusky, edged with white; the
rump and upper tail-coverts are barred with dusky and

buff; vent and under tail-coverts finely marked with black
: G38

°

12 SCOLOPACIDE.

on the shafts of the feathers. The beak is dusky; the legs
olivaceous-brown ; claws dusky; iris dusky; the under
surface of the quill-feathers silvery white, finely rayed in

a transverse direction with black; the shafts of the same
are white.

ant Tele

»

s
TEMMINCK § STINT. 13

GRALLATORES. SCOLOP ACID.

PLATE CXCVIII.
TEMMINCK’S STINT.

TRINGA TEMMINCKII.

Tuts species, the smallest of the Stints that visit Great
Britain, has been named after Temminck, in compliment to
his having proved it to be a distinct species from what is
called the Little Stint (Tinga minuta).

Temminck’s Stint is an occasional visitant with us during
its spring and autumnal migrations. Its native regions are
the north and north-easterly parts of Europe and Asia, as
far as Siberia; most plentiful in the northern provinces of
Russia, where it is said to breed. During the winter it
resides in the south of Europe and Asia, and extends over
the northern parts of Africa. The locality chosen by the
present species is the border of some lake, river, pond, or
salt-marsh. In the spring of the year, Temminck’s Stint
does not migrate northward earlier than the latter end of
May or June, and returns again about the middle of August ;
its migrations are performed during the night, in small com-
panies, or in the suite of other Tringas. We are induced
to conclude, from the foregoing observations, that T’em-
minck’s Stint is rather sensible of cold, and sociable in its
nature. Like most others of its family, the Temminck’s Stint
prefers nooks and corners by the water side, where the form

74 SCOLOPACIDS.

of the ground has harboured soft mud and small pebbles,
which places generally abound with smal] insects, worms and
their larvee, flies, gnats, and minute beetles; in its stomach
is generally a considerable accumulation of sand as well as
vegetable matter. It also frequents the sea-coast, where the
ground is soft and muddy.

The exertions, morning and evening, of this elegant bird
in pursuit of its food are quite indefatigable ; during that
time it runs about on high legs, with its body in a hori-
zontal direction, and its beak pointed towards the ground.
During the middle of the day the bird rests and sleeps, and
when it is surprised it does not even fly away, but remains
stationary until forced to leave the spot, and then flies or
skims away close over the surface of the water at a rate equal
to that of a snipe. It is indeed very extraordinary how this
little creature can keep up with the largest of the sandpipers,
not only on the wing, but also on the ground; it proves at
least that its motions must be exceedingly quick. The
Temminck’s Stint has another peculiarity, namely, when in
company with other species it acts in unison with them, for
it is shy when its companions are shy, or tame when they
are tame. When it is alone, the bird is not shy, unless it
has been put up several times. We have already said that
the present species is sociable, and prefers the society of its
own species, as they are generally found on the borders of the
Baltic and the Caspian Sea, in numbers of from ten to forty
or fifty.

The call-note of the present species sounds very much like
shaking a bunch of small keys, or may be expressed in the
word tirrr, tirrr !

Respecting the reproduction of the species, very little is
known, and that only from hearsay, consequently not much
to be depended upon; the greatest probability is, that Tem-

TEMMINCK’S STINT. 15

minck’s Stint breeds in the northern provinces of Russia and
in Siberia, and that its diminutive size has hitherto prevented
the few naturalists that, comparatively, have visited those
colder climates, from noticing it; and besides, they meet with
difficulties and inconveniences that are unknown to the ge-
neral collector of eggs, we must therefore make a due allow-
ance for them, and live in the hope that we may, sooner or
later, obtain the required information on this subject.

We have already said that Temminck’s Stint is the small-
est of our sandpipers, but this remark will be found to be
more to the point, as respects some of the generic and cha-
racteristic parts, than in the entire circumference or bulk of
the individual when standing on its legs.

The entire length of Temminck’s Stint is five inches nine
lines; wing, from the carpus to the tip, three inches nine
lines; the beak, from the forehead to the tip, eight lines ;
the tarsus eight lines and a half, being two lines shorter than
in the Little Stint, and the middle toe eight lines. The first
and second quill-feathers are of equal length, and the longest
in the wing. ‘The weight of this species is six drachms.

The plumage of the adult bird in summer is as follows :—
all the upper parts, from the forehead down the neck, back,
scapulars, and tertials, are ferruginous, with broad black an-
gular centres to the feathers; the forehead, ear-coverts, sides
of the neck and breast, are cinereous red-brown, with very
small longitudinal black streaks and spots; the tail-feathers
are white, with the exception of the two middle ones, these
are dusky, with red-brown edges; the belly and all the rest of
the under parts are pure white; the lesser wing-coverts are
dusky, with paler edges; the greater with white tips, thus
forming a white band across the wing; the quills are dusky.
The beak is dusky at the tip, and brown at the base, the
legs olivaceous-brown, the iris hazel.

76 SCOLOPACIDE.

The winter plumage, in which our drawing is represented,
is as follows :—the upper part of the head, nape, back of the
neck, and back, as well as the scapulars, wing-coverts, and
tertials, are bistre-coloured brown, with dusky markings on
the shafts of the feathers; the throat and streak over the
eye white, as also the belly, vent, and under tail-coverts.
The tips of the greater wing-coverts being white, form a band
across the wing; the sides of the neck and the breast are
cinereous bistre-brown, the same as the four middle tail-
feathers; the two outer tail-feathers are cream-white. The
beak is dusky, the legs olivaceous-brown, the iris dusky.

The young bird of the year has a general colouring of
cinereous brown on the upper parts, but the feathers are
marked with a double edging of dusky and cream colour;
and although the chin is white, and the belly, vent, and under
tail-coverts the same, the white is soiled.

It should here also be remarked, that the tail, of which the
two middle feathers are the longest, is cuneiform, in which it
differs widely from the Little Stint.

~
-t

LITTLE STINT.

GRALLATORES. i SCOLOPACID &.

PLATE CXCIX.
LITTLE STINT.

TRINGA MINUTA.

Tue Little Stint is, in Britain, an autumnal visitant, at
which season it frequents the muddy shores of rivers, either in
small flocks or in the company of other sandpipers; in the
spring of the year this bird revisits us again on its way to the
north of Europe, in which region it is supposed to breed.

The geographical distribution of the Little Stint is rather
comprehensive, extending all over Kurope from north to south,
from the northern parts of Asia to Bengal, and is found in
Africa from the Mediterranean southward, as far as the equator.

In many countries the Little Stint is found in great
numbers during its periodical wanderings, particularly where
the muddy banks of rivers and lakes suit its habits, or
where large tracts of exposed muddy flats extend. Sandy
ground or cover of long grass, reeds, trees, and osier beds are
very rarely frequented by this bird. Specimens obtained
in Britain are, usually, either young birds of the year, or
adult birds in winter plumage; yet some few individuals in
summer plumage have been killed and preserved.

The food of the Little Stint consists in small insects and
worms, which it obtains from the muddy surface of the flats
it inhabits.

VOL. V. H

"8 SCOLOPACIDE.

The general appearance of the Little Stint is very peculiar,
owing to the great contrast of its upper and under plumage:
the pure white of the under plumage and the rich dusky brown
of the upper parts, occasion the bird to become a marked ob-
ject both on the ground and on the wing ; its longer legs dis-
tinguish it, besides, at all times from the former species
(Temminck’s Stint). Its habits are sociable towards its own
species as well as towards others of its family, in so far that it
associates frequently with Temminck’s Stint, the buff-breasted
sandpiper, the purre and the sanderlings.

It is by no means difficult to approach the Little Stint
within gun shot, and the most proper time to go in search
of it is from ten till two o’clock in the day, during which
time it generally sleeps: as soon as the bird is surprised
it runs a little distance very quickly, and then takes wing.
The flight of this species is much like that of the other
Sandpipers, quick, but rather unsteady, and with arched
wings. When the Little Stint intends to fly but a short
distance, it only skims the surface, but on leaving the
neighbourhood it rises high in the air and quickly disappears.

The note uttered by the Little Stint sounds like the
word dear, dear! pronounced in a high tone. Owing to
the sociable nature of this bird, it is a very easy matter
to keep it in confinement ; under such circumstances it must
be fed at first with small worms and bread and milk, under
which treatment it soon becomes satisfied with artificial food,
such as the universal paste of Bechstein, &c.

Respecting the reproduction of the species nothing is
satisfactorily known, but it is supposed to breed in the arctic
regions. While we were engaged in publishing the quarto
edition of British Birds, Mr. Yarrell very obligingly lent us
an ege to figure from, as the egg of the present species ;
the peculiar shape as well as colouring of this specimen

LITTLE STINT, 19

are very remarkable, but we are surprised that Mr. Yarrell has
made no mention of this egg in his own history of British
Birds, since he had it in his collection: and must therefore
conclude that he has since had reason to entertain some doubts
of its authenticity. We represent the same egg, numbered
199, in the present work, but, owing to its great rarity and
the circumstances alluded to, we cannot absolutely say that
this is the egg of the Little Stint.

The measurements of the Little Stint are as follows :—
length, from the tip of the beak to the extremity of the tail,
six inches; the beak eight lines, and the tarsus full ten lines.

The adult Little Stint in summer plumage has the top of
the head black, with rufous-brown edges to the feathers; the
forehead and streak over the eyes are buff-coloured ; the chin
and throat are white; the sides of the neck and breast pale
rufous, with brown spots ; lower part of the breast, belly, and
vent pure white ; the cheeks are tinged with rufous and spot-
ted with dusky brown; the back, scapulars, wing-coverts,
rump, and two middle tail-feathers are black, and one and
all broadly edged with rufous-brown ; the outer tail-feathers
are cinereous-brown, with lighter edges; the beak and legs
are black; the eyes dusky. ‘This is the state of plumage
represented in our plate.

The winter plumage differs very much from the above,
and is the one in which the bird is more generally known
in this country. In this state of plumage all the upper
parts are cinereous wood-brown, with dusky shafts to the
feathers; between the beak and the eye is a wood-brown
streak ; over the eye extends a whitish line; the sides of
the breast are ash-coloured, tinged with wood-brown ; throat,
breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts white ; the two mid-
dle tail-feathers are brown, the outer cinereous-brown, with
white edges.

80 SCOLOPACID.E.

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACIDE.

PLATE CC.
PURPLE SANDPIPER.

TRINGA MARITIMA.

Tue Purple Sandpiper is frequently found on the shores
of Great Britain, during the winter months, in localities
that suit its habits. Its geographical distribution extends
over most northern countries, such as the Hudson’s Bay,
Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands. The
present species is more a northern and north-western bird
than a north-eastern one, and is found to extend its sum-
mer migration to higher northern latitudes than any others
of its family. During the periods of migration the Pur-
ple Sandpiper is very frequently found on some parts of
the Mediterranean, and particularly on the coast of Genoa,
but about inland seas and rivers it is an exceedingly rare
occurrence to see one at any time of the year.

The locality preferred by the Purple Sandpiper is a
rocky sea-coast, but the bird is occasionally known to pass
the winter in considerable numbers on the southern coasts
of England and Holland.

About the middle of the month of April the Purple
Sandpipers migrate northward to breed, and return again
about September in flocks of thirty or more. It is very
remarkable that the bird in question should shew exclu-

PURPLE SANDPIPER. 8l

a

sive preference to rocky and stony ground to so great
an extent as it does, which is sufficiently proved by the
great numbers that frequent such localities, and more so by
a circumstance which has brought so many of this species
to the coast of Holland, where it was not known to be
found before, namely, the erection of those strong and gi-
gantic breakwaters which were constructed in order to save
that part of North Holland from the fury of the waves and
high floods. We allude to the sluices of Kattwyck, on the
masonry of which the Purple Sandpipers are sure to be
found during their residence in that country, Great num-
bers are also found on the rocky coasts of Scotland as
well as England and Wales, and some visit Ireland.

The purple colouring of the present species is a peculiar
and distinguishing mark, by which the naturalist distin-
guishes the Purple Sandpiper at a single glance, where
it is present; and its manners are almost equally peculiar
and amusing to the observer; for the bird runs with the
greatest ease and rapidity over the rocky ground, alter-
nately retiring in order to escape the force of the rolling
wave, and again following the receding waters very closely,
in pursuit of the animalculine matter that happens to be
washed up, so as to overtake it before it has time to escape.
The long toes and sharp arched claws of the bird enable
it to perform its motions on the slippery stones with ease
and security. ‘The Purple Sandpiper has been thought to
be afraid of wetting itself, and seeking for that reason
raised stony objects for alighting, but this notion can hardly
be reasonable, as the bird is frequently seen to alight on
the water, and to swim with apparent ease, and its plumage
also seems to be more adapted for this purpose than that
of any other sandpiper, which we shall describe in its proper

place hereafter.

82 SCOLOPACID.

The flight of this bird is very quick and undulating, fre-
quently performed close to the water, even when the waves
fo the sea run high; at other times it flies in a straight line
at a great elevation, particularly when in company of many
of its species. ‘The present species is the least shy of its
family, and it may be generally approached within a few
paces ; it is also exceedingly sociable with its own species,
but rarely seen in company with other Sandpipers, owing
to its peculiar locality and habits.

The call-note of the Purple Sandpiper resembles that of
the swallow, and is very often repeated.

Its food consists chiefly in shell-fish of the smallest di-
mensions, mollusca, and other marine productions, that are
washed upon the rocky shelves, and this accounts for the
manner in which the bird watches the receding waves at all
times on the rocky ground, among the crevices of which a
new supply is regularly produced.

It may not be unworthy of notice to remark here, that the
sea coast of Holland is particularly well supplied with a
kind of bivalve shell-fish, which are collected among the
strong masonry before alluded to, and have thus provided a
table in the sandy wilderness for these’ periodical travellers.
The fact of their abundance is intruded upon the notice of
most persons visiting Holland, by means of the representa-
tions of figures and houses that are made at Scheveningen
of these shells, and offered to every passing traveller by
the fishermen.

The present species is generally in excellent condition,
which may in a great measure be attributed to the immense
supply of focd it finds at each turning of the tides, not
only in our moderate climates, but also in every part of
the world, whatever the climate may be. Even where
floating ice is to be found in mountains, marine pro-

PURPLE SANDPIPER. 83

ductions hang to some parts, and this accounts for the
Purple Sandpiper being seen to run about on such situations,
as recorded by northern travellers.

This species breeds amidst the rocky valleys of Ice-
land and other northern countries; the nest, consisting of
a hollow place in the ground, lined with a few mosses or
other herbage, contains three or four eggs of an oblong
shape. It does not unfrequently happen that a pair re-
mains here to breed, but the nest and eggs are very difficult
to obtain.

The entire length of the Purple Sandpiper is eight inches
and a quarter; the beak one inch and a quarter; the wing,”
from the carpus to the tip, five inches three lines; the tarsus
ten lines and a half.

The plumage of the adult bird in summer seems not to
be well understood by British Ornithologists, at least we
do not find it properly described by any individual in this
country. The feathers of the top of the head and back,
scapulars, and tertials are reddish brown, with black centres,
which reflect metallic colours according to the light; the
tips of the scapulars and tertials are white ; the wing-coverts
are cinereous dusky; quills dusky, the roots of which are
white; the greater wing-coverts are edged with white; the
middle tail-feathers are black, with rufous yellow edges;
the others have cinereous dusky edges. The forehead and a
streak extending over the eyes, pure white; the chin and
throat also white; the cheeks are tinged with rufous and
finely spotted with dusky; the throat is soiled white, mixed
with grey, and spotted with dusky streaks; the crop, sides,
and front of the breast are cinereous brown, with dusky spots
that surround the shafts, and fan out over the feather, leaving
a white tip and edge; the remainder of the under parts are
more white, and the spots more elongated and becoming

84 SCOLOPACID £.

smaller towards the tail; the upper tail-coverts have the
edges of the feathers white ; the centres black. The beak
and legs of the bird are bright orange-yellow; the claws
black and much arched ; the iris is dusky.

The plumage of the Purple Sandpiper is not only soft,
but very thick, close, and downy, consequently well adapted
for the climate it inhabits, and for the purpose of swim-
ming.

The winter plumage is that from which it has most pro-
bably derived its name, and in which we have figured it in
our Plate. The entire plumage consists of a cinereous dusky
feathering for the upper parts, with exception of white edges
to the feathers of the wing-coverts ; a white streak passes over
and surrounds the eye; the chin, belly, and vent are white ;
the white underparts are all spotted with dusky, in con-
sequence of that colour occupying the centre of each feather.
The head and feathers of the back reflect a delicate purple ;
the legs are yellow, also the beak, at the base, and dusky

towards its tip ; iris dusky.

PURRE OR DUNLIN. 85

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID 4.

PLATE CCI.
PURRE OR DUNLIN.
TRINGA VARIABILIS.

Tue Purre and Dunlin, as these birds were formerly
called, have many years since been proved to be one and
the same bird in different plumages, consequent upon age
and sex; we prefer the name of Dunlin, for many reasons,
and propose to call it so during the present description.
Of all the Sandpipers that visit Great Britain, the present
_ species is the most numerous, and met with all along our
coast, particularly in the autumn of the year, and during
the winter. The Dunlin is distributed over Europe, Asia,
Northern Africa, and America, and is every where plentiful
along the sea-coast, where it runs about incessantly in search
of its food.

Towards the autumn, the Dunlin retires from the severe
northern regions, where it breeds, towards the south, and
returns again by the middle of April. The numbers that
arrive on our coast in the autumn are so great, that we can
hardly speak of flocks of hundreds, but must enumerate them
by thousands, although it may appear very incredible; where
such a flock alights, it actually covers the sands to a great
extent. The migratory journeys of the Dunlin are per-
formed early in the morning, or late at night, when they fly

86 SCOLOPACIDE.

close to the ground along the sea-shore, or high in the air
across the water, flying in a straight line at a quick pace.
When the flock is put up by the approach of an enemy, it
only flies to a little distance, and presently returns again,
provided the spot affords food in plenty. The locality best
suited to the habits of the Dunlin, is flat, soft, slippery, and
muddy ground close to the water’s edge, either of sea, lake,
or river, but the larger numbers will at most times be found
along the sea coast.

It seems that the Dunlin has an aversion for trees, grass,
or cover of any kind, although not apparently from any
feeling of fear or distrust, since we know that it frequents
shores close to cottages, where the country possesses the usual
attraction of being open and bleak.

It is worthy of observation that the old and young birds
of this species are hardly ever known to migrate in mixed
groups, but always keep each to themselves; the old birds
may be known by their uniform plumage, whereas the young
differ in plumage very greatly, which may be owing to differ-
ently advanced states of moulting, and thus form a motley
group.

The general appearance of a flock of Dunlins in spring
plumage, is exceedingly beautiful, whether on the wing or
on the ground, particularly in consequence of their motions
being simultaneous, as if by command of a leader. When
the Dunlin is in the act of feeding on the ground, it carries
its body in a horizontal direction, and its head in unison,
with a short neck, advancing all the while with ease and
grace, and is able to run very fast if urged to speed. The
flight of this species has nothing peculiar in it, and only
shews its affinity to its family.

This bird is not shy, and can easily be kept in con-
finement, the required food is, however, a drawback to

PURRE OR DUNULIN. 87

making it a companion in a sitting-room. The call-note
resembles the sound kwee, kwee! and is very often heard.
The food of the Dunlin consists principally of insects
and their larve, and small worms, which it draws forth
with its beak out of the soft mud; and for want of these,
small beetles, gnats, and sandflies, where the ground affords
them. In confinement, worms must be chopped up in
bread and milk, which very soon accustoms the bird to
universal paste, varied from time to time with a supply of
worms; and accompanied at all times by a dish of clean
water for bathing, and for standing in to cool its feet.

The present species retires to the north-eastern parts of
Europe to breed; Iceland and Lapland are also the birth-
places of great numbers. It has been remarked, that the
Dunlin follows the custom of the rook, in constructing
its nest in society with those of its own species, thus ac-
counting for the large flights that keep together at
all times of the year. Thus much is ascertained, that these
birds choose their breeding locality on flats inland, and at a
considerable distance from the sea, and where they breed
several broods are hatched; the nest consists of a hollow
scratched in the ground, generally on a raised clod or hillock
in moist situations; this hollow is scantily lined with dry
mosses, and other vegetable productions found in the neigh-
bourhood ; the eggs are three or four in number and marked
as represented in our plate. During the time of hatching,
the male bird amuses its mate with its song, but as soon as
danger approaches, he gives notice of it by means of an
alarm note, which gives the female time to run from the
nest, and assist in worrying the enemy. This behaviour fre-
quently shews the intruder where the nest is, and thus
becomes the cause of its destruction, or rather that of the

eggs. The young leave the nest as soon as they are

88 SCOLOPACID#.

hatched, and hide so effectually, that it requires a dog
to find them. Some ornithologists inform us that the Dun-
lin only shews itself inland during the breeding-season ; we
have, however, shot several on the banks of the Thames,
many miles from its mouth, durig the winter, particularly
when the snow lay deep on the ground, at which times these
birds frequent patches of sand or gravelly creeks, which have
been sheltered from the snow by overhanging banks. The
Dunlin is known to breed annually in the northern coun-
ties of England, and in Scotland.

The measurements of the Dunlin are these; entire
length eight inches; the beak one inch and a quarter; the
wing from the carpus to the tip four inches and a half.

The adult in spring plumage bears great resemblance
to the foregoing species, the Purple Sandpiper, at the same
period of the year, but the beak and legs of the Dunlin
being black, distinguish it without a moment’s doubt. The
plumage of the top of the head and back is ferruginous
brown with markings of dusky and black on the centres
of the feathers; the neck is greyish-ash, spotted with black
and dusky, the spots being most numerous about the upper
parts of the breast and sides; some appear on the flanks ;
the belly and vent are white; the rump and upper tail-
coverts are ash-colour and black; the middle _tail-feathers
dark hair brown, with paler edges, the outer ash-coloured ;
the chin is white; the cheeks streaked with hair-brown
and grey ; the iris brown.

The winter plumage of the same bird is a general colouring .
of bistre-brown with pale edges to the feathers and a tinge
of cinereous ash-colour; the chin, belly, and vent white,
the iris dusky.

The egg figured 201 is that of the Dunlin.

201

ih

oy a)

Eewore

PECTORAL SANDPIPER. 89

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID 4G.

PLATE CCII.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
TRINGA PECTORALIS.

Tue Pectoral Sandpiper is a bird of rare occurrence in
Britain, and has not hitherto been met with in any other
part of Europe. Its native regions are the northern and
north-western parts of America. Mr. Audubon describes
this bird as frequenting the sea-shore and the mouths of
rivers, where it may be seen, most particularly at low-water,
in search of food, which it procures by probing the soft mud
or sand with its beak, for insects; it has never been met
with in the interior by any ornithologists that we are aware
of, whence one may with propriety infer that its favourite
locality is by the sea-side, and its food marine insects.
Respecting the reproduction of the species, nothing is as
yet known or described.

The dimensions of the present species are as follows; the
entire length nearly nine inches; the beak one inch one line;
the wing, from the carpus to the tip, five inches two lines ;
the tarsus one inch; the middle toe, without the nail, one
inch.

The top of the head is rufous brown, spotted with dusky ;
the nape cinereous: the hinder part of the neck, back,

VOL. V. I

90 SCOLOPACIDE.

scapulars and tertials are yellow and brown ochreous yellow,
with the centres of the feathers dusky at the tips, and cine-
reous at the base; the lesser and greater wing-coverts are
dusky, with pale wood-brown edges; the secondaries are
edged with white, and the remainder part dusky, as well as
the quill-feathers; the rump and two middle tail-feathers are
black, the outer tail-feathers are cinereous black, and all of
them are edged with yellowish-brown; from the beak ex-
tends a dusky line to the eye, and over it a white streak ;
the chin, belly, and vent are white; the cheeks, sides of the
neck, and upper part of the breast are spotted with black,
and more or less tinted with wood-brown and yellow. The
eyes are dusky; the beak and legs olive-green ; tip of the
beak and claws dusky.

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CURLEW TRINGA. 91

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID A.

PLATE CCIIL.
CURLEW TRINGA.

TRINGA SUBARQUATA.

Tue Curlew Tringa was first introduced to the notice of
British ornithologists by Pennant, and a gentleman of the
name of Bay, who met with a specimen at Sandwich, and
this species was considered of rare occurrence, but, since the
subject is better understood, and the distinguishing marks
have been more generally pointed out, the Curlew Tringa is
not only frequently met with on its passage north or south,
but several pairs are known to breed here, and remain con-
sequently all the year round with us.

The geographical distribution of the present species ex-
tends not only over Europe, Asia, and Africa, but also over
the northern parts of America, yet it nowhere appears in
such great numbers as some others of its family. In Hurope
it extends over the most northern countries, except Iceland
and the upper part of Norway, and from thence spreads over
the entire continent to the most southern countries. In
Asia it ranges from north to south through Persia and India.
In Africa it is also to be met with in Kgypt and at the
Cape of Good Hope; and in America its principal sojourn is
in Canada and Georgia.

92 SCOLOPACIDE.

The locality frequented by the Curlew Tringa is most fre-
quently the sandy, flat, sea-coast, and, during its migrations,
also the flat shores of inland seas or lakes, and ponds, where
the vegetation is short and thin.

During high-water the Curlew Tringa passes the time on
the shores of rivers, lakes, ponds, &c., but no sooner has
the tide turned and left the muddy flat shores of the sea ex-
posed, than the bird returns thither, and remains closely
following up the receding waves in pursuit of its food, which
is obtained by probing the soft mud with its bill.

The food of this species consists in small worms, insects,
shrimps, sand-hoppers, and the larvee of insects, on which it
thrives exceeding well, and becomes fat.

In confinement it may be kept on universal paste, pro-
vided a constant supply of fresh water is not wanting, as
this bird never swallows its food without having first dipped
it in water.

That the Curlew Tringa is a migratory species is well
known and generally acknowledged, but how far it journeys
north to breed is not well ascertained: in Europe we have
reason to suppose that Finnland is the country where the
greatest number congregate for that purpose, although some
few remain in England, and on the opposite coasts of Hol-
land and France. We are not able to give any particulars
respecting the nest and eggs; Temminck describes the eggs
as resembling those of other sandpipers in colour and shape,
but we have never seen a specimen either in a public or pri-
vate collection: should we be so fortunate to succeed in our
endeavours to obtain the sight of one, we shall figure it in a
subsequent number.

A considerable proof that this bird does not travel to
any great distance northward to breed, is afforded by the
early return of individuals in the end of our summer, fre-

CURLEW TRINGA. 93

quently in July ; the young also arrive in groups of ten or
twelve in August and September.

The flight of the Curlew Tringa is quick, and performed
by rapid motions of the sharp pointed wings, while flying at
a high elevation ; but skimming, when passing low over the
water or flats. By nature this bird is not shy, but may very
easily be approached within gun-shot; and when surprised
by an enemy, it squats close to the ground and becomes an
easy prey, provided there is only a single individual on the
spot ; where there is a party congregated, they are more cir-
cumspect, although when fired at they soon return again to
the same spot. We ascribe this latter circumstance to the
local nature of the spots frequented by these birds, the soil
of which affords a greater quantity of food, that suits their
taste, than is to be found elsewhere.

The day time is passed by this species in feeding and
roosting, and the night in travelling during the time of mi-
gration, but at other seasons the Curlew Tringa lies quiet
during the night.

The call-note of this species is a shrill piping sound, which
it utters at times on the wing, but not frequently.

The Curlew Tringa is in all states to be distinguished
from the other sandpipers, by its curved beak, white rump
and upper tail-coverts, and also by its longer legs, principally
consisting in the greater length of the naked part of the
tibia.

The entire length of the Curlew Tringa is seven inches
and a half; the beak measures one inch and a half; the legs,
including the naked part of the tibia, one inch nine lines.
The beak of the Curlew Tringa extends from the forehead in
a graceful sweep to the tip, as represented in our Plate, and
is of an entirely black colour. The legs are also black in the
adult and dusky in the young bird. The iris is very dark

94, SCOLOPACID.

brown. ‘The plumage of this species in different stages is
very varied, we therefore describe it here. The adult male
bird has the head and back bright rust-coloured, with black
spots and marks on the feathers; the forehead, chin, and
circle round the eyes are whitish ; the space between the beak
and eyes dusky; over this space and the eyes runs a band of
bright rust colour; the cheeks are rufous and white inter-
mixed, and streaked with dusky; the throat, breast, and
sides are reddish rust-colour, the latter with white edges, and
a dusky marking between the two colours.

The thighs, belly, and vent are white, with rust-coloured
markings, and arrow-shaped black spots and streaks. The
edge of the wing is white with dusky spots; the wing-
coverts are cinereous dusky, with black shafts and paler
edges to each feather, the tertials are more decided in colour-
ing; the secondaries still darker, with white edges, the quills
are dusky; the lower part of the back is blackish grey.
edged with white; the rump the same but lighter, and
white on its sides; the upper tail-coverts are pure white
with dusky square spots; the tail brownish-ash, with white
edges and shafts.

The winter plumage of the adult is as follows,—the head,
back, scapulars, greater and lesser wing-coverts, and tail are
ash-grey, and faintly marked by the pale dusky centres of
the feathers; the cheeks, sides of the neck, and breast are
the same, but much fainter ; the chin, forehead, region of the
eyes, breast, belly, and vent are soiled white; the rump and
upper tail-coyerts, white, with dusky markings as in the
summer.

The plumage of the young bird is also remarkably differ-
ing; the top of its head, nape, back, scapulars, wing-coverts,
and tertials are yellowish ash-colour, with black spots, and
greenish yellow edges, the larger feathers on the back and

CURLEW TRINGA. 95

upper parts are marked with a black zone, that divides
the light edges from the central colouring; the tertials
have rufous edges on their outer webs; the fore part,
sides, and front of the neck are buff-colour, finely marked
with black, the rest of the under parts are white, as also the
sides of the rump and upper tail-coverts.

96 SCOLOPACIDE,

GRALLATORES. SCOLOPACID #.

PLATE CCIV.
SCHINTZ SANDPIPER.

TRINGA SCHINTZII.

THe Schintz Sandpiper has been included in the list of
British Birds since the occurrence of a specimen that was
killed near Stoke Heath in Shropshire, and which is still
preserved in the collection of Sir Rowland Hill, as we are
informed by Mr. Eyton.

It is most certainly a very rare visitant in Great Britain,
and is nowhere in Kurope plentiful.

According to some continental ornithologists, this Sand-
piper is generally seen in company with the purre or dunlin,
the stints, &c., but very seldom in flocks of its own species.
In Denmark, Holstein, and Schleswig, and along the borders
of the North Sea and Baltic, it is not very uncommon, and
several pairs may there be found to breed in company,
particularly on the Island of Riigen.

The general appearance of the Schintz Sandpiper is not
very different from that of the Dunlin, but its larger size
when the birds are both on the ground together, will be a
great assistance to the naturalist in singling it out; its
movements resemble those of most others of its genus, it
runs with ease, and its flight is exceedingly quick, and where
there are several together on the wing, they fly in a compact

body.

mu2O4.

SCHINTZ SANDPIPER. 94

It is also observable that a single Schintz Sandpiper being
on the ground, is so little afraid of man, that one may watch
the motions and manners of this pretty bird with great ease:
this is so conspicuous that it may serve to point out what
species the individual belongs to. ‘The peaceable nature of
this species is equally observable, as it associates not only
with every other species of Sandpiper, sanderlings, and stints,
but acts with any of them in concert as a subordinate subject,
Its call-note is best described by the word trree, trree !
uttered in a shrill unmelodious manner.

The food of the present species consists in aquatic insects,
and their larvye, small worms of all descriptions, and small
beetles which it finds by the water’s edge and on moist
meadows, particularly where cattle feed.

In consequence of the late return of this bird in the
autumn from the north, we infer that it breeds generally in
very high northern latitudes, although we are informed, as
before mentioned, that some breed also on the shores of the
Baltic and the coast of Denmark, where they choose a
swampy ground interspersed with grassy knolls on which
the slightly constructed nest is placed, and in which four eggs
are deposited, that are smaller and narrower than those of the
dunlin. The spots on those eggs are marked in a smaller
proportion, the ground colour is pale olive-green with chest-
nut-brown markings.

The measurements of the Schintz Sandpiper are as follows :
—The entire length six and a half inches ; the beak measures
nearly an inch; the wing, from the carpus to the tip, four
inches and a half; the tarsus eleven lines; the middle toe
and claw ten lines.

The specimen from which our plate was taken, being in
an intermediate state of plumage, pleasingly unites the fea-
thering of summer and winter, still bearing some of the rufous

9

(92)

SCOLOPACIDE.

and brown feathers of its summer dress, interspersed with its
otherwise sober coloured winter plumage. This specimen
has the upper part of the head and cheeks ash-colour tinged
with brown, the nape and breast the same; the chin, throat,
and a streak over the eye white; the feathers of all these
parts having dark shaft streaks; the scapulars and back
present a mixture of the summer feathering, consisting of
dusky feathers bordered with brown or rufous, among which
are many feathers of a clear pigeon grey with narrow black
shafts. The wings and outer feathers of the tail are bistre-
brown ; the quill-feathers of the wing and middle feathers of
the tail dusky. The rump feathers dusky, bordered with
paler brown. The belly, flanks, thighs, and upper and under
tail-coverts silvery white, some of the latter feathers as well
as the flanks having dusky centres. The under parts of the
quill-feathers are ash-colour with white shafts. The iris is
deep brown; the beak is, in the adult, entirely black, within
and without ; in younger birds the beak is flesh colour at the
base ; the legs are shorter and thinner in proportion than
those of the dunlin, and naked for a considerable space above
the knee, between three and four lines—they are in colour
black, but in cabinet specimens soon become olive-brown.

The young on their exclusion from the egg have the beak
straight in form, and greyish-black in colour, as well as their
clumsy little feet ; their plumage is a mixture of grey, black,
and rufous, Ata more advanced state, they have the upper
parts rufous, with black centres to the feathers and white
tips; the breast and flanks are pale brown or dirty white
marked with large and rather coarse dusky spots: the beak is
by this time become curved as in the adult.

The winter plumage of the adult much resembles that of
the Purre and dunlin at the same season. In that state the
top of the head, breast and all the upper plumage, including

SCHINTZ SANDPIPER. 99

the long and pointed tertials are clear ash-grey; the breast
and head spotted with dusky, the rest having only a narrow
shaft streak (as in our plate) the eyestreak, chin, and throat
are white, as well as the belly and under parts; the small
coverts of the wings are brownish-grey, the quills dusky.

In perfect adult summer plumage this bird also resembles
in a striking degree the above mentioned dunlin or purre:
it has the top of the head, back, scapulars, and tertials chest-
nut, marked in the centre of each feather more or less with
black: the nape, cheeks, and breast more distinctly spotted
with black on a grey and white ground; the forehead, eye-
streak, chin, and throat pure white. The lower part of the
breast at this season is deep black, the edges of the feathers
tinged with grey.

aa fie Sib UM eae ade ts eine:
ta mee hureee Pewee, in E

PL 205.

PRATINCOLE. 101

GRALLATORES. RALLIDL.

PLATE CCV.

PRATINCOLE.

GLAREOLA TORQUATA.

THe Pratincole is a rare accidental visitant in
Great Britain, and has been only added to the list of
British Birds since the year 1804, when one was shot in
the month of May in the vicinity of Liverpool, and is,
according to the Rev. L. Jenyns, now in the collection of
the Earl of Derby.

Temminck informs us that this species is very abundant
in Dalmatia during the spring of the year, particularly on
the borders of the Lake of Boccagnaro, and that it breeds
in Sardinia.

The south and south-eastern countries of Europe,
Asia, and Africa, are the principal residence of the
Pratincole, owing to these warmer climates being more
favourable to its nature; which also accounts for its
rare occurrence in England, Holland, and France; during
the summer it is not uncommon in the region between the
Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. In Hungary, great num-
bers frequent the well-known extensive marshes, and also
Sclavonia and Turkey.

VOL. V. K

102 RALLIDE.

The chosen locality of the Pratincole during its summer
residence in Europe, is in the extensive, sandy flats that are
covered with water during the winter, near lakes, rivers, and
ponds, where the vegetation is scant, and the ground open and
bare of trees or shrubs; close to the water, or in the shallow
water it is not found, but low meadows, where cattle and sheep
feed in great numbers, seem to suit the habits of the bird
greatly, they are there seen running and flying about in large
flocks. When the bird retires to the sea-shore, it is only
for the purpose of awaiting the arrival of its companions, to
cross the Mediterranean twice a year, namely, in spring and
autumn. The French name for the Pratincole is ‘ Perdrix
de Mer,” but as this species has nothing to do either with
partridges or the sea, it is a very inappropriate one. In fact,
as this species bears so little resemblance to any other Kuro-
pean bird, it is very difficult to locate it properly, and al-
though we have placed it between the sandpipers and the rails
we feel that it has not much claim to be there.

The appearance of the Pratincole, when on the ground,
approaches that of the sandpipers most, with exception of
its lengthened wings and forked tail; it hardly ever stands
still, unless it has reached a little lump of earth to rest upon
for a moment and to look around; its motions on the ground
are more like those of our wagtails, inasmuch as it runs with
great velocity in quick short steps, and frequently flies up in
pursuit of its food. When anything startles the Pratincole
while engaged in pursuit of its food, it does not, however,
like the wagtails, raise its tail, but, on the contrary, beats it
twice or thrice on the ground, quite closed up, and soon after
takes wing. The flight of this interesting bird is exceedingly
beautiful; it acts on the wimg very much like the terns,
particularly the black tern (sterna nigra); its evolutions are
quick and graceful. When a flight of them passes through

PRATINCOLE. 103

the air within sight, they proceed very swiftly, and on lower-
ing to alight they shoot like arrows by one another; finally,
they once more open their wings to their full length and highly
raised, and then settle rather closely spread over the ground.
In its nature the Pratincole is sociable and very lively,
it is also very restless. Where they meet with suitable
ground, they remain for some time in the neighbourhood,
flying away in a body, and often returning again in a moment,
to the great surprise of the beholder who may happen to have
startled them up.

The flocks of these birds range generally in number from
ten to twenty, but rarely mix with any other species; they
also breed in groups as it were, the nests not being far distant
from each other. During the time of migration they unite
in flocks of several hundreds, settle at times on the
wastes before-mentioned, each at some distance from its
neighbour, and if one only calls out, they all take wing,
circle in a body once or twice over the ground, and then
move off.

The call-note sounds like the word, carjah, carjah! and
bedra, bedre! very quickly expressed.

It is an easy task to tame the Pratincole in confinement,
whether it be old or young, and if carefully treated it will
live some time.

The food of the Pratincole consists chiefly in cockchafers
and other beetles of lesser dimensions, and grasshoppers, for
which purpose the bird is supplied with a powerful beak,
a wide gape, and strong digestive powers and nerves about
the stomach and swallow; it also takes gnats and flies during
its search for the first-mentioned food. It hag very incor-
rectly been said, that it feeds on small insects, which we are
able to contradict with due respect for several authors; the
beetles and their remains that are found in its stomach are

K 2

104 RALLID.

of the following genera: Melolontha, Scarabeeus, Cupris,
Aphodius, Hister, Carabus, Harpalus, Cincidela, etc., ete.,
also the male beetle (gryllotapha), which it cbtains from
among the young wheat, grass, etc.; or on the wing where
such an opportunity offers, and when captured, the bird
holding its prize with its beak, beats it on the ground in
order to kill it, and to divest it as much as possible of its legs
and horny wing-coverts.

Respecting the breeding of the Pratincole little is as yet
known, beyond the report of shepherds who have frequent
opportunity of finding the nest; this is a slight construction
of dried grasses placed in a hollow on the ground beside some
wild flower or meadow production. The eggs are said to be
three or four in number, and are spotted with brown. By
the beginning of August, the young fly about with the adult
birds ; the parents, being very much attached to their young
brood, accompany them until the beginning of September,
when they one and all think of returning, and going south-
ward for the winter.

The measurements of this species differ greatly according
to age, owing to the growth of the tail, which varies nearly
one inch between old and young birds. The adult measures
about ten inches, the young only nine, to nine inches
three lines. Some instances of very old males are on record
which measured ten inches and a half, and a trifle more,
in consequence of the greater length of their tail-feathers.
The head is rather bulky towards the hinder part, and
tapering towards the beak; the eyes are very far from the
beak and wide apart, the forehead flat; the neck short and
thick ; the tarsi and tibia almost of equal length ; the carpus
is short, and the quills very long in proportion, the outer
tail-feathers exceed the two middle feathers by nearly two
inches and a half in length, the tail is therefore much

PRATINCOLE. 105

forked; the general texture of the feathers is silky, fine,
and close—the shafts of the quills are very stout at the
base, tapering to their tips, and a little turned up at their
extremity.

The beak is broad at the base and pointed at the tip,
straight from the forehead on the upper ridge, and arched to
a point at the tip, the upper mandible receives the under one
within it, the gape is very wide and elastic; in young birds
the beak is not nearly so large as in the adult, which is an
apology for some former ornithologists who have made two
species of it in consequence.

The colour of the beak is black, the base of the lower
mandible bright vermilion, in the spring particularly.

The iris is chestnut-brown, and the eyelids are white,
consisting of small feathers. ‘The legs are transparent black
with a red ground colour, the claws black.

The feathering of the adult is as follows:—the chin and
throat mellow rufous yellow, palest at the chin and sur-
rounded by a narrow velvet black band; the breast is
brownish yellow. The belly, thighs, vent, and under
tail-coverts white; the under wing-coverts are rich orange
brown; the head, neck, back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and
tertials umber brown, the rump orange brown, the upper
tail-coverts white; quills dusky; the feathers of the tail
dusky, with their bases white. Male and female nearly
alike.

The young of the year have the upper plumage brown,
with reddish-brown edges to the feathers; the throat pale
brown, and the band around it, which is black in the adult,
only marked out by a few dusky brown spots; the breast
clouded with brown and dusky, and the under parts pearl-
grey and white.

The egg figured 205, is that of the Pratincole, and

106 RALLID#.

differs greatly from the egg we erroneously figured in
the quarto edition of our work on British Birds, but hay-
ing had that from the collection of a friend who is
considered a first-rate ornithologist we can only under
present circumstances retrace our steps and represent the
proper one.

ene
eine

Tl 206,

LANDRAIL, 107

GRALLATORES. RALLID 4.

PLATE CCVI.
LANDRAIL.
CREX PRATENSIS.

Tue Landrail is a regular summer visitant in Great Britain,
and very generally distributed over the kingdom during that
time of the year: it arrives early in May from the south of
Europe, but, strange to say, we never met with any one
person who has seen it arrive; they must of course travel by
night and probably await a favourable wind for crossing the
Channel, as their flight seems to us very ill adapted for long
journeys or encounters of even a breeze.

Its geographical distribution extends over most parts of
Europe, Asia, Africa, and even the West Indies. In
Kurope it has been met with very near the highest parts of
Norway, but the greater numbers only frequent our climate
in the summer, and, during the winter months, inhabit the
south of Europe and the warmer regions in general. The
chosen localities of the Landrail are low meadows, grassy osier
beds and clover. As soon as the bird arrives, it gives notice
of its presence by its incessant call-note, crek-crek, crek-crek!
pronounced in a hoarse but subdued note; this note it utters
chiefly in the morning and evening, until the hen sits on the

eggs. The nest is not often found, owing to its being gener-

108 RALLIDE.

ally placed among the standing grass that is allowed to re-
main undisturbed for hay, and consequently on an average
just long enough to allow the young brood to run about.
In our part of the country (Chertsey) the Landrail is very
plentiful, particularly on what is called Chertsey mead, and
we have the opportunity of watching the birds’ habits in per-
fection: but the number of them is not the same every year,
which we attribute to the wind and weather they meet with
during their migrations. The slightest obstacle will induce
the Landrail to remain on the south side of the Channel to
breed, such as a sudden change of wind, or cold weather
setting in. The numbers that are here this year are less than
usual on the mead, which may be owing to a high flood that
occurred later than usual in the spring, and we are the more
induced to believe the correctness of this supposition as we
have obtained information from a friend, who resides on higher
ground, that he has some of these birds in his fields where he
has never before known them to be.

The habits of the Landrail are peculiar to itself, it skulks
at all times and hides so cleverly, that, if it were not for its
call-note, few individuals would ever be aware of its presence ;
its narrow shape enables it to run through the thickest her-
bage with a velocity that outdoes the rapidity of many a
dog, who has no other means of following up this game but
by continually jumping over the grass. We have many a
time gone in pursuit of the bird with one of the best nosed
dogs imaginable, but the Landrail could generally foil the
animal by doubling among the grass. The best mode of
obtaining the bird is to leave it unmolested until all the
grass is cut but a small portion, and then hunt this over care-
fully and silently, load the gun with a small charge of powder
and No. 8 shot, and fire at it as soon as it rises from the
ground; the flight of the Landrail is slow and close to the

LANDRAIL. 109

ground, consequently very easy to kill, yet if it is only
winged, a dog is required to find it, and it is impossible
to follow it without, unless the pursuer watch the tops of
the grasses moving as the bird runs.

The food of the Landrail is worms, snails, and insects,
as well as herbage and grass seeds, on which it gets generally
so very fat, that when dressed for the table it is quite a
rich and savoury morsel. ‘The best way to roast this game
is by rolling it up in a lettuce leaf in order that it may
not be too much dried up.

Where the grass is left for a longer period on the ground
than is usually done, the birds have two broods in the
summer; this may not generally be allowed to be so, but
we speak from experience, having on the same day killed
birds nearly full grown, and old ones full of eggs, in places
where they have not been disturbed.

The nest is placed on the ground among the grass and
consists of a fabric of dry leaves and stalks of the locality.
The eggs are generally from eight to ten in number. The
young, which are covered with dull black down, run about
immediately and are very difficult to find: they make
their appearance between the beginning and middle of June,
and some a fortnight later. After the young are hatched,
the male recommences its call-note and often thus betrays
the precise spot where the family reside.

The lowest, rankest, and thickest herbage is generally
its situation, and on the approach of an enemy they run
invariably to some dry overgrown ditch for shelter. While
going in pursuit of these birds, we have found among other
tricks which the Landrail practises to avoid being put up or
flushed, that it climbs.trees of low growth and runs along
their branches with the greatest ease, and hides among the
foliage, although this is its last retreat, from whence it

110 RALLIDE.

is forced to take wing and becomes an easy mark to
kill.

Before finishing the history of this bird we will add a
circumstance that may be of use to any one who wishes
to get sight of a Landrail without much trouble, provided
there is one or more in the immediate neighbourhood. We
were fishing off the banks of the river Thames for trout,
with what is called running-tackle, during which process
the reel was frequently wound and unwound, thus pro-
ducing very nearly the sound of the Landrails’ call-note ;
to our surprise we heard the sound repeated close behind
us, and, on looking round, we saw a bird of this species
running out of the grass not more than five or six yards
from us; it was evidently attracted to the spot by the
noise of the reel, and since that time we have more
than once made the Landrails answer to our call thus
produced.

The Landrail measures about ten inches in length; the
wing, from the carpus to the tip, four inches and a quar-
ter.

The plumage of the Landrail is very handsome, and some
of its tints exceedingly beautiful and delicate, the head, neck,
back, scapulars, tertials, tail-coverts, and tail are yellow, with
brown centres to each feather, and a dusky elongated streak
on their shafts; the wings and wing-coverts are of a rich
golden chestnut; the quills are reddish brown; breast,
belly, thighs, and under tail-coverts pale buff-colour with
transverse bars of umber brown. The cheeks and sides of
the neck, and a streak over the eyes, are tinged with delicate
greyish-ash ; the beak is wood-brown on the tip and ridge
of the upper mandible, flesh-coloured at the base and under
mandible ; the legs are pale raw-umber, with a tinge of flesh

colour; the iris hazel.

LANDRAIL. 111

The female and young have less tinge of grey about the
head, and the colouring of the wings and wing-coverts is less
bright in tint, they are neither of them quite so large in
size.

The egg figured 206 is that of the Landrail.

2 RALLIDE.

TRALLATORES. RALLIDA,

PLATE CCVII.
WATER RAIL.

RALLUS AQUATICUS.

Tue Water Rail is a British bird well-known to persons
who are either fond of snipe-shooting or angling, as it fre-
quents most of our low and marshy districts near rivers,
ponds, ditches, and swamps, and it is also widely distributed
over Europe, Asia, and the northern parts of Africa. There
are several notices of this bird having been met with singly
and also in flocks on the Atlantic Ocean ; and like some of our
warblers that remain with us the whole year, yet increase in
numbers during certain parts of the year, the present species
is more abundant with us during the spring and autumn than
at other times.

The specimen from which our drawing was made, was taken
near Esher, in a very singular manner; a woman put her
hand in her hen-house for the purpose of taking hens’ eggs
out of a nest, and the bird in question took hold of her fin-
ger; she drew it consequently out of the nest and brought
it to us for sale; as the weather was very inclement this
bird must have run in there probably for shelter or food ;
we kept it caged for several years, and, although it seemed

happy enough, we could not tame it or make it come to

WATER RAIL. 113

us for food: bread and milk and chopped raw meat suited
it very well, and worms from time to time seemed a
dainty relish, fresh water was also daily supplied, and was
a great requisite. ‘This bird became, on account of its
inoffensive and pleasing habits, a great favourite with us,
and lived in perfect harmony with many other species, its
residence being in a garden aviary. It was remarkably quick
in all its motions, to the great discomfiture occasionally of its
companions. We had at one time in the same place a pair of
godwits ; these pretty creatures were in the habit, after heavy
rains, of boring in the soft gravel of their enclosure in order to
procure their favourite food, worms, and often, when so em-
ployed, the Rail from his hiding-place would watch their
motions, and when one of them brought up in his beak a
bright and tempting worm, this little creature would rush to
the spot, snatch the worm from its captor, and retreat with it
to his shelter, before the astonished godwit had recovered
from his surprise; indeed, so quick were his motions, if any
attempt was made to catch him, that his speed was greater
than the eye could follow, his transit across the cage having
only the appearance of a shadow. At other times he would
walk carefully and sedately about, but would seldom come
forth to feed when any one watched, unless tempted by a
small frog, or something equally irresistible. It was a curious
thing to see him manage this last delicacy; if about half-
grown he would take it by one of the hind legs, and tightly
holding it in his beak would wash and beat it about in the
water-pan until no strength, motion, or stiffness remained in
the reptile, he would then begin to draw it into his beak as
the boa-constrictor is said to do his prey, swallowing it by
degrees until all had disappeared. We have the bird still in
a glass-case stuffed, in its usual attitude, the same as we
represent it.

114 RALLID&.

The locality in which we very often meet with this species
is by the river-side, among the thickest herbage, flags, osier-
beds, and muddy ditches, and also frequently perched on the
lower branches of over-hanging willows, and ash, and elder
trees.

We have seen it more frequently during the severest win-
ter weather than at any other time, but never more than a
pair in one spot. It conceals itself almost as cleverly as the
landrail, but owing to its silence must be put up by a dog,
or surprised in an exposed situation. On the continent of
Europe it is considered a migratory visitant, but this may be
owing to its close habits, and to its being more observed dur-
ing its passage in the spring and autumn.

The flight of the Water Rail is slow and apparently ill-
sustained, for we never saw it even leave the neighbourhood.
This is very remarkable when we consider the several au-
thentic accounts of many of them having at different times
been seen and even captured several hundred miles from the
land, as before-mentioned. This bird runs with great ease,
not only on the ground, among the cover of grasses and the
thickest aquatic herbage, but also along the branches of trees
and railings.

The food this species generally looks for in a natural state
is worms, slugs, aquatic insects, and the smallest frogs, &c.

The nest, which is composed of grasses and sedge, is very
difficult to find, owing to its being so closely concealed among
the thickest herbage, and more generally placed in spots
where one can hardly ever keep a footing. Now and then
a nest is found on the banks of the river Mole, in Surrey,
where it is more easily taken, in consequence of the nature of
the ground and luxuriant growth of sedge-weeds; the eggs
are, in size and colouring, as represented in our Plate.

The Water Rail measures from eleven to eleven inches

WATER RAIL. 115

and a half in length; the wing, from the carpus to the tip,
four inches nine lines; the beak, one inch nine lines, dusky
at the tip and upper ridge, and bright red at the base, which
colour fades gradually in that of the dusky tip; the eye is
Venetian red. The top of the head, neck, back, sca-
pulars, wing-coverts, tertials, and rump, are olivacious dusky
brown, with black oval centres to the feathers; the quills are
dusky, as also the tail. A streak over the eye, the cheeks,
chin, sides and front of the neck, and breast are bluish
slate-colour ; the sides and flanks are barred black and white ;
the vent is raw umber ; under tail-coverts, soiled white. The
legs are brownish-claret, with bluish joints.

The male and female are alike.

The egg figured 207 is that of the Water Rail.

| seal gouit ales “horoue Bisa
WHEW teal nt dae Gi Pk ral barge

Shai

Nag

eg Sane
ie Mis uy,
ii Wi;

ss 1
Bnd

Vite
fe ba

a a

SPOTTED CRAKE. 117

_ GRALLATORES. RALLID &.

PLATE CCVIIL.
SPOTTED CRAKE.

CREX PORZANA.

THE Spotted Crake, although considered a summer Visi-
tant in Great Britain, occurs more frequently in milder
climates than in our own; and the exceeding stealthiness
of its habits, combined with its actual rarity, concur to render
it a bird very seldom obtained. The most northern lati-
tude of this species in Europe is the central part of Sweden,
from whence it extends over all the southern countries of
the European continent, occurring more plentifully on ap-
proaching the south and south-east. In Asia it is variously
distributed according to the temperature of the land, and
it has frequently been obtained from A frica.

The locality frequented by the Spotted Crake is flat, low,
and marshy land, particularly where the ground is well
covered with flags and sedges ; and in countries whose climate
suits this species it is very plentiful.

The middle of March is the time when this species begins
to migrate northward from its winter retreat in Italy, Greece,
Turkey, and the opposite shores of the Mediterranean. Like
many other species of birds, this also chooses the night for
its time of migration.

There is little doubt that the Spotted Crake breeds in

VOL. V.” L

118 RALLID®.

England; but on account of the localities it frequents and
the usual circumstances that cause those spots to be left
undisturbed during the breeding season, it is more difficult
to find the nest and eggs than it is to meet with the bird
itself: we allude to the circumstance of the meadows being
generally left unfrequented until after hay-making, during
which time the young of Crakes and many other birds, must
have had time to quit the nest.

In our neighbourhood, birds of the present family are
every now and then met with, and a young of the pre-
ceding year of the Spotted Crake was shot in April by
a person who is exceedingly fond of this sport, and who
fires at every bird that gets up, pursuing this pastime through-
out the year. A water-spaniel is the best dog for finding
this species, as it invariably hides among the tallest and
thickest sedges, or among alder and willow bushes during
the day: and the most likely spots in which to find it
are the thick grassy edges of a ditch: so much does this
bird conceal itself among thick foliage, that it is frequently
unable to fly up for want of room to expand its wings.
On high and dry ground it is in vain to seek for the Spotted
Crake, but it is occasionally found in woods and forests
where swamps occur.

When the present species ventures by some chance into
open ground during the day, it is seen to run with long
strides, and so fast and low to the ground that it resembles
more a rat than a long legged bird; to which resemblance
its dark brown colour greatly contributes, and deceives
sportsmen who are unacquainted with it. Its very light
weight allows the bird to run with ease over the surface of

water-plants; it is also very expert in swimming, which

g
it performs with ease and keeps up with some continuance.

When the Spotted Crake is put up by a dog, or otherwise

SPOTTED CRAKE. 119

disturbed, it flies very unsteadily, and its legs hang down
like those of the water rail, and the same wonder-stirring
question remains unexplained, as in respect to the rails in
general, namely, how the bird can possibly keep on the
wing for a time sufficient to perform migratory journeys.
It has been observed that when the Spotted Crake flies
up in the evening, during the season of migration, it rises
to a very great height in the air, where, free from currents
arising from trees, hills, and buildings, it flies with much
greater ease and rapidity.

The food of this bird consists of worms, slugs, aquatic
insects, and seeds, on which it thrives to such a degree
that it becomes quite covered with fat towards the autumn,
and its flesh is exceedingly well flavoured.

The nest of this species is constructed of the decayed
stalks of rushes and water plants, capable of floating on
the water, and the inside is very thickly lined, and well
rounded to secure the safety of the eggs; as the places
chosen for the nest are generally the moist and boggy
prominences that rise above the water, it requires to be
able to float on the surface during heavy rain or floods.
The eggs are numerous, being from nine to twelve in num-
ber—eighteen even have been found together, but these
were probably the produce of more than one parent bird.
The hen sits three weeks on the eggs before hatching, and
the young on their first appearance are entirely covered with
black down.

The Spotted Crake is very capable of being tamed to
a certain degree, and therefore easily kept in confinement,
provided a frequent supply of fresh water is not forgotten :
the best food is bread and milk, and chopped raw meat
intermixed, sometimes with the addition of a few worms

and snails or slugs of the smaller kinds.

120 RALLIDE.

The entire length of the Spotted Crake is nine inches ;
the beak measures nine lines; the tarsus, one inch four
lines; the naked part of the tibia, six lines; the middle
toe, including the claw, one inch eight lines; the wing,
from the carpus to the tip, four inches and three quarters.

The colouring of the adult bird is as follows, and when
closely examined is very beautiful. The top of the head,
neck, back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and tail are olivaceous-
brown, with a dusky spot in the centre of each feather, and
all, except the feathers on the top of the head, are beautifully
spotted or edged with pure white; the quills are dusky
hair-brown ; the forehead, throat, and a streak over the eye,
are purplish-grey; the two latter minutely spotted with
white; the nape thickly spotted with black and white ;
the cheeks are cinereous, spotted with black; the front of
the neck and breast are oil-green and grey, spotted with
white; belly and vent pearl-grey, the sides barred with
black, white, and olivaceous-brown ; the beak is olive-yel-
low, and orange at the base; the eyes are red-brown; the
legs and feet olive-yellow. The male and female are very
nearly alike, but the cheeks of the female are reddish, and
spotted with brown.

The young birds have the upper parts more greenish,
and the white spots are more rounded and fewer in number ;
the belly more white, and the beak and legs are greener in
colour, and tinged with dusky.

The egg figured 208 is that of the Spotted Crake.

Pile 209 -

BAILLON'S CRAKE. 121

GRALLATORES. RALLIDE,

PLATE CCIX.
BAILLON’S CRAKE.
CREX BAILLONII.

Baition’s Crake is an occasional visitant in this country,
but owing to its crake-like habits it is not frequently seen ;
nor is it so much sought after as it might be if the bird were
more worth looking for in a profitable point of view.

The geographical distribution of this Crake is very exten-
sive. In France it is by no means uncommon, and is known
to breed annually all along the coast. Mr. Baillon, after
whom it is named, has met with it in the marshes of Picardy;
it also inhabits Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Hungary, and
Dalmatia; and is found on the banks of the Elbe and
Saale in Germany. From Africa and Asia several specimens
are on record, and they differ in no respect from our own.
The localities the bird frequents are the same as those of the
spotted crake, namely, low, wet situations by rivers, ditches
&c., where the vegetation is thickest, among which it hides
and runs with ease, and with an indescribable velocity, owing
to its very narrow formation.

Several specimens have, from time to time, been obtained in
Britain at most seasons of the year, both in spring, summer,

and the depth of winter, although it is usually said to be a sum-
L3

122 RALLIDS.

mer visitant. The proper place to look for it, is among thick
herbage with the aid of a water-spaniel. When it is flushed
during the day, it only flies to a short distance, and it requires
perseverance to make it take wing a second time from among
the grassy or reedy cover where it has found shelter. When
a Crake of this species has been obtained alive, it soon be-
comes accustomed to its cage, its keeper, and its food ; which
latter should consist of bread and milk, with chapped raw
meat, worms, and insects. In a natural state it feeds on
aquatic insects and their larvae, small beetles, and spiders, but
rarely, it is believed, on vegetable matter.

The present species runs very fast, swims with ease and
grace, and is capable of diving when such a movement is
required for the sake of safety ; its flight is better sustained
than that of most rails, to which its lesser weight and pro-
portionately longer wings contribute greatly.

The note of Baillon’s Crake, is a sort of low whistle which
can hardly be described. )

The locality chosen for the reproduction of the species is
mentioned before; the spot selected is muddy, soft ground,
overgrown with flags, and rushes, or long grass; the nest
itself is formed of stalks and leaves of water plants, and is
closely interwoven with blades of grass of divers sorts, so as
to make it secure from any rising water, and is deep within
for the security of the eggs, which are generally seven or eight
in number. The hen bird sits very closely, and on leaving
the nest, she bends the surrounding blades over the fabric so
as to conceal it from the view of any intruder.

The measurements of Baillon’s Crake are as follows:
entire length six inches and a-half; the wing, from the carpus
to the tip, four inches; the beak, eight lines ; the naked part
of the tibia, five lines; the tarsus, one inch one line; the
middle toe, including the claw, one inch and a-half.

a

BAILLON’S CRAKE. 123

The colouring of the adult male is, on the top of the head,
and back of the neck, wood-brown; back, scapulars, and
wing-coverts, yellowish-brown, with a tinge of olive, and
marked with oval and triangular white spots that are sur-
rounded with black, and some of them have a black spot
in their centre; the flanks, vent, and under tail-coverts are
black, transversely barred with white; the throat, checks, and
regions of the eyes, frontal part of the neck, sides, breast, and
belly, bluish slate-colour; the beak is olivaceous-green, legs
and toes flesh-coloured brown; eyes reddish brown; the
quills and middle tail-feathers, brownish dusky; the outer
edge of the first quill-feather, white. The female resembles
the male, her colouring is, however, somewhat paler.

The young bird has the throat and middle part of the belly
white, with transverse uneven bars of brown; the flanks
olivaceous, with white spots ; the spots of the upper parts are
fewer in number than in the adult.

The egg figured 209 is that of Baillon’s Crake.

124 RALLIDE.

GRALLATORES. RALLID LE:

PLATE CCX.

OLIVACEOUS CRAKE.

CREX PUSILLA.

Tue Olivaceous Crake is a rare visitant in Great Britain,
more so than the preceding species. It seems to have ob-
tained the trivial name it bears in our cabinets, more from
the colouring of its beak and legs than from its plumage,
since the colouring of its feathers is less olivaceous than that
of the two former species.

This Crake is the least numerous of all its fannie in this
country, it has been obtained in few instances, and apparently
does not like the climate; in Holland it is also rare; but
towards the south and eastern parts of the Huropean con-
tinent it is more frequently met with, and in many parts by
no means uncommon; for instance, in Turkey, Hungary,
Italy, and the south of France. The late arrival of this
bird in the spring of the year in Europe from the warmer
climates of Africa, induces us to class it among birds very
susceptible of cold ; before the middle of May it hardly ever
arrives, and returns again in August.

We are not able to say whether this species inhabits
America, as we have no certain accounts of it; neither have

we seen any specimens in cabinets that were obtained from

nyt
eas i i

OLIVACEOUS CRAKE. 125

thence. The locality the Olivaceous Crake frequents is
much the same as the last described ; the specimens obtained,
were met with more in open ground than in cover of rushes,
sedges, weeds, &c., and it may thus be concluded, that the
bird is not so partial to a thick grassy cover; it has been
known to frequent some open grounds, that lay low, without
being wet or marshy, during the greater part of the summer,
in which situation it was almost daily observed by the owner
of the land, who was himself an ornithologist. ‘The present
species differs from the last, in not unfrequently perching
on the branch of a tree, only concealing itself under some
few overhanging leaves. During the spring of the year, it
resorts to the usual cover of grassy and reedy places, where
it seeks for a spot to make arrangements for its nest ;
the extensive muddy flats that surround ponds or slow
streams, suit its habits particularly, and in such localities the
nest is generally placed among the rushes. The nest is the
most difficult of all its family to find, not only on account
of its being so cleverly concealed, but because it is placed in
the most inaccessible parts of the soft ground ; it requires in
the first place an exceedingly good dog, even where a pair of
these birds is known to be, and besides an apparatus of
planks to reach the spot.

Before the end of May or beginning of June, the Oliva-
ceous Crake does not begin the construction of a nest, by
which time the rushes have attained one foot in height; the
nest itself is placed either on a tuft of rushes, or on the
very surface of the water; in which case the surrounding
rushes are bent down and interwoven with grasses, &c., so as
to forma cradle, and when the bird sits on the eggs, she
draws the next leaves of the rushes over her in the shape of
a hood; the size of the nest is consequently much larger than
that of the spotted crake.

126 RALLIDE.

The eggs are eight or ten in number, measure fourteen
lines in length and ten in width, are perfectly egg-shaped,
and smooth, but with very little polish; the ground colour
is light olive-brown, spotted with darker brown, very
much in the manner of the last species, but more distinct.
The young, which are covered with black down, run out of
the nest as soon as they are dry, and much resemble mice.
The food of the Olivaceous Crake consists in insects and
their larvee, which it obtains in swamps and bogs, small
snails together with their shells, and rarely worms, many
grass seeds and vegetable productions, with which it swallows
grains of sand and minute pebbles; in the stomach of this
bird, several remains of beetles of divers sorts have been
found, as also, empty shells of small mollusca ; among others
were the remains of flies, gnats, grasshoppers, and water-
spiders. During the day, the bird is constantly engaged in
the pursuit of these insects, of which it seems ever to find a
great supply. In confinement, the Olivaceous Crake is very
expert in catching flies whenever they come within its reach ;
ants’ eggs and meal worms are a favourite food, and on bread
and milk it thrives well, and becomes very sociable.

The appearance of this Crake when on the ground is very
elegant, the head and neck are then prettily thrown back, the
body carried horizontally, and the tail lowered ; when it runs
it generally bends its legs considerably, and moves on with
great velocity, its speed being so great that the legs are
hardly seen.

This bird is very expert in swimming, dives if necessary,
and runs over the green weeds that float on the surface of the
water, without making apparently the least impression. The
flight is wavering, very near the ground, and is seldom pro-
longed te any great distance; when surprised and fired at, it
rarely takes wing, but runs for shelter; in which it resem-

OLIVACEOUS CRAKE. Lah

bles the rest of its family. Towards the evening one may
get sight of this bird when it comes running out of a bed of
reeds, in order to surprise some nocturnal insect, which it
pursues into open ground. ‘The present species has a very
great peculiarity that belongs solely to itself, namely, its
curiosity ; if a person who is acquainted with the habits of
the bird very carefully approaches the spot where an in-
dividual is known to be, it may be seen to come to an edge
of the swamp and utter its piping call-note, as it were in
astonishment at what it sees.

The dimensions of the Olivaceous Crake are taken from
a specimen in the British Museum, from which our drawing
was made for the quarto edition; it is an adult female.

The entire length is seven inches; the wing, from the
carpus to the tip, is four inches and one eighth; naked part
of the tibia, three lines and a half; the tarsus, one inch three
lines; the middle toe, including the claw, one inch five
lines.

The beak of the adult male is green, with the base flesh
red; the legs and feet are green, with an olive tint; the
eyes, red. The top of the head, neck, back, and all the
upper parts brown, with a golden yellow tint; the middle of
the back black, with some white streaks and spots; the
quill-feathers are dusky brown ; the tertials have the centres
of the feathers black, and their edges oil-green ; upper tail-
coverts and tail dusky brown; the chin is pearl-white; the
sides of the head, front, and sides of the neck, breast, and
belly, slate colour; the sides of the body under the wings,
brown; thighs, vent, and under tail-coverts, slate colour,
spotted with white.

The female has the regions of the eyes pale ash-colour ;
top of the head, sides and back of the neck pale brown ;

middle of the back black, with sparing white marks; sca-

128 RALLID#.

pulars brown ; wing-coverts and tertials dark in the middle
of the feathers, and brown edges ; quills dusky brown ; chin
white ; the front of the neck, breast, and belly, buff-coloured ;
flanks and under tail-coverts, barred with grey, brown, and
white.

The egg figured 210 is that of the Olivaceous Crake, from
a specimen in our collection, taken in June, 1841, at Little-
ton, in Middlesex.

AL
(

PL . 2

PHALA ROPE. 129

GRALLATORES. LOBIPEDIDE.

PLATE CCXI.
PHALAROPE.
PHALAROPUS LOBATUS.

Tue Phalarope, better known in Britain by the appellation
of the Grey Phalarope, is occasionally met with in this
country. We ourselves killed one in December 1840,
near Shepperton Lock on the Thames, just before a heavy
snowstorm, in perfect grey or winter plumage, and another
on the 2nd of December 1841, in intermediate plumage.
This latter bird was swimming on the Thames, where it
had been seen for two days. The chestnut feathers of
the summer plumage were still remaining on the throat of
this specimen, some feathers of the same colour were still
left in the nape of the neck, and the feathers on the upper
part of the back, rump, and tertials, were in a perfect state
of summer plumage ; its weight, one ounce and a quarter.

The geographical distribution of the Phalarope is ex-
tended over Europe, Asia, and America, but it is least nume-
rous in Europe; its preference for the highest northern
latitudes is well-known. In Greenland it is of very fre-
quent occurrence; the severe climates of North America,
the north of Asia, and the northern parts of Siberia seem
to suit its habits exceedingly well, as it is found there to be
at home and plentiful. During the most inclement season,
it comes southward as far as the Caspian Sea, and the north

VOL. V. M

130 LOBIPEDIDE.

of Scotland, but only accidentally lower; and on the con-
tinent of Europe it is very rarely seen further south than
before mentioned. The locality the Phalarope frequents by
preference, is invariably the sea, from whence it only departs
during the breeding-season, to the rivers and lakes in its
nearest vicinity; it has very frequently been met with at sea
by mariners among floating icebergs. Its principal time is
spent on the water, swimming, which it performs with ease
and grace, nodding its head at every stroke of its legs, and
when it runs about on the shore, it resembles the sandpipers
in every movement, but owing to its thick feathering the
Phalarope looks much larger than it in reality is. We
are enabled to state from experience, that its flight is ex-
ceedingly quick, and will fairly be a match for a snipe. The
note uttered by the Phalarope is best expressed by the
word pick, pick! uttered in a quick and high tone.

The food of the Phalarope consists in insects of the
smaller kinds, most probably those that are found on or
near sea-weeds ; gnats, and their larvee.

In the month of June several instances are named of
the Phalarope having come to breed near ponds and small
lakes in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, &c., but never far
distant from the sea-shore ; the bird deposits her four eggs
in a hollow on the ground, the nest being carefully lined
with a few grasses, or formed among the short herbage
present ; the parent birds are very much attached to their
young, and remain with them until they are fully fledged,
and able to follow them to the sea-shore.

The entire length of the Phalarope from the tip of its beak
to the extremity of its tail, is eight inches and a quarter, the
expanse of its wings fifteen inches, the wing from the carpus
to the tip, five inches four lines ; the tarsus one inch.

In the plumage of the adult bird in summer, a dusky

PHALAROPE. 131

hood extends from the beak, over the top of the head
towards the nape, the chin and throat are also dusky ; the
space between the beak and the eye, a circle round the
eye, the upper half of the cheek and the nape are white ;
the back of the neck, lower half of the cheek, sides, and
front of the neck, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-
coverts are uniform red brown; the back, scapulars, and
rump dusky black, with ochre yellow margins to the
feathers; the lesser wing-coverts lead colour edged with
white ; greater wing-coverts darker lead colour, more broadly
edged with white; tertials, the same, but edged with reddish
yellow ; quills and tail black; the legs and feet are greenish
yellow; claws black; the beak yellow at the base, and black
at the tip; eyes dark chestnut brown.

The adult in winter plumage has the beak black; the
forehead, top of the head, cheeks, chin, front and _ sides
of the neck, breast, and all the under parts white; a
beautiful pearl grey under the shoulder of the wing, which
fades into the white of the breast; on the sides and
upper tail-coverts are a few longitudinal pale cinereous
dusky shaft streaks faintly marked; on the top of the head
is a black patch; the back of the neck, the back, and
scapulars are of a clear gull grey, the wing-coverts are
greyish black, margined with white: the shoulder of the
wing, the quills and tail-feathers are black; the eye
brown ; the legs pale olive coloured, the claws black.

The legs of the immature birds are grey, with buff
yellow borders to the webs of the toes; the feathers sur-
rounding the beak are tinged with ochre yellow, and the
same colour is slightly visible on the cheeks and the upper
part of the breast ; the feathers of the back, scapulars, ter-
tials and upper tail-coverts are dusky, with pale buff edges,

The egg figured 211 is that of the Phalarope.

132 LOBIPEDID.

GRALLATORES. LOBIPEDID&.

PLATE CCXILI.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE.
PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREA.

Tue Red-necked Phalarope is occasionally met with
in England, but according to several accounts these birds
are more plentiful in the north of Scotland and the Ork-
neys, where they also breed. The present species is more
generally and plentifully met with in the higher northern
latitudes, as its trivial name implies, and belongs in fact
to the north and north-eastern parts cf Kurope, the north
of Asia, and North America. In Iceland, Greenland,
and Lapland, this bird is very common, from whence
it retires on the approach of the more inclement seasons
to the coast of Scotland, the northern lakes of Russia,
the Baltic, and occasionally to Holland, France, and Ger-
many.

The localities it frequents in general are the sea-coast
and the smaller islands or lakes, but inland rivers, ponds,
or swampy places have not been named in a single in-
stance as situations where it has been obtained or even
seen. On the open sea, many miles from the land, many
instances are on record of its having been noticed; it has
there invariably been seen constantly employed in dipping

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. 133

its head in the liquid element in search of insect food,
on which it subsists and thrives excellently; the small
soft worms that exist in such great numbers about sea-
weeds, seem the chief prey of the Red-necked Phalarope ;
on the sea shores it likewise looks for them among the
sea-weeds: flies and gnats that hover over the surface of
the water, or wet ground, it also greedily consumes.

A very remarkable circumstance is recorded by a con-
tinental ornithologist, M. Faber, who states that he has
seen the present species swim on the surface of some of
the hot springs in pursuit of insects, where the temperature
of the water was such that he could not keep his hand
in it.

The reproduction of the species takes place in high
northern latitudes, on the shores and banks of inland seas,
lakes, ponds, &c., not only in flat situations, but among
the hilly parts; like the sandpipers they lay their eggs,
four in number, in a hollow among the short vegetation
of the place, or beside a small tuft of herbage; the nest is
very carelessly lined with a few blades of grass, &c.; these
birds appear very much attached to each other, and after-
wards equally so to their young brood, but, like many other
birds, the males constantly fight for the possession of a
chosen spot, although the nests are seldom far apart.

The dimensions of the Red-necked Phalarope are much
less than those of the foregoing species, the female is, how-
ever, the larger bird in both; its entire length is seven
inches, the wing, from the carpus to the tip, four inches
three lines; the beak ten lines and a half.

This species is very expert in swimming, and its flight
is quick and strong. On the ground its course is graceful
and animated, very elegant, and much like that of the sand-
pipers.

M 3

134 LOBIPEDID-E,.

The feathering of the adult male in summer is as follows:
the crown of the head, the nape, and hinder part of the neck,
sides of the breast, and a streak behind the eyes, slate
coloured ; on the sides of the neck is an regular spot of
bright orange brown, forming a sort of collar; the throat,
middle of the breast, belly, and vent, are white; the flanks
are streaked with pale ash colour. The back and scapulars
are black; the feathers all margined with ash grey and
brown ochre ; the wing-coverts are blackish grey; the greater
coverts tipped with white, which forms a bar across the wing.
The two middle tail-feathers are black, the others slate
colour, edged with white; the beak is black; the legs
and toes greenish grey; eyes brown. The female is very
much like the male, but the colourmg not so bright, and
the brown on the side of the neck not so brilliant.

The plumage in winters differs very much, and must be
described as follows: the forehead, streak over the eye,
chin, throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts
white ; the top of the head, the nape and the border of the
ear-coverts are blackish grey; the sides of the neck and
breast are grey, with a purplish hue; back, scapulars, and
wing-coverts are black; the feathers of the first being edged
with brown ochre, the rest with pearl grey; the greater
wing-coverts are tipped with white, which produces a white
bar across the wing; the quills are black; the beak black ;
the legs and feet greenish grey.

The young or immature birds have the top of the head
black, the back black, with brownish yellow edges; all the
under parts white; the beak and legs the same as in the
adult winter plumage.

The egg figured 212 is that of the Red-necked Phalarope.

JEAY 2IkS)

coor. 135

GRALLATORES. LOBIPEDIDA.

PLATE CCXIIL.
COOT.
FULICA ATRA.

Tue Coor is of common occurrence in these islands,
arriving in large flocks for the winter, from the more northern
latitudes ; many remain with us during the year, and breed in
numbers on divers large ponds that are supplied with reed-
beds. In the south of England the numbers are greater than
in the northern counties or Scotland, and towards the ap-
proach of winter they generally migrate southward, not only
from Scotland, but from other northern parts, such as
Sweden and Denmark, when their numbers increase in Nor-
folk, and south of that county to a very great extent; at
that time of the year, namely, during the months of Decem-
ber and January many persons go in pursuit of this bird,
but it is so exceedingly watchful, that it requires great
caution and management in order to approach it within gun-
shot. The geographical range of the Coot is very extensive ;
it inhabits more particularly the moderate temperatures. In
Europe it extends not farther north than central Sweden, and
in Asia, only to the southern parts of Siberia. In America
it does not go beyond the southern borders of Canada,

136 LOBIPEDID2.

from thence, however, as far south as Brazil, and it is also
found in Jamaica and most of the West Indian Islands. In
Africa it is known, from north to south, but the greater
numbers are met with in Europe and Asia.

In the fall of the year the numbers that congregate in some
counties for the purpose of migration are not only hundreds,
but several thousands. In the months of October and Novem-
ber, the autumnal migration is carried on, and in March and
April they return again. A black mass of these birds at such
times literally covers some lakes and ponds to a great extent ;
when they take wing, or are on their journey, the birds may
easily be distinguished from ducks by their irregular and
disorderly arrangements of flight. The Coot travels by
night, starting about dusk, and settling in the best locality
at hand at day-break, which accounts for its irregular appear-
ance on ponds from one day to another. In some instances
a flock may be found on the surface of some snug inlet of the
sea, although it does not prefer the sea if inland water is
within reach.

Early in the spring of the year, when the evening is very
still, and the moon bright, these birds may be heard fiying
over and uttering their call-note, and if one has the patience
to wait for an hour longer, the larger flights are almost sure
to follow the forerunners; these birds being among the first
that travel northward are, as it were, giving notice of the
approaching mild weather of spring, and are therefore very
interesting to the observer of nature.

The principal locality chosen by the Coot, is still deep
water where large beds of reeds and rushes grow either in
patches, or surrounding the margin of the water, and there
the bird is constantly swimming about either among the
rushes, or near to them; it does not often come on shore
unless some strip of land extends far into the lake or pond.

coor. 137

The sea and open rivers it does not frequent, for want of the
reedy concealment in which it delights.

The roosting-place of the Coot is on a tuft of grass or
reeds as far from the shore as can be found, on which it
either stands on one leg, or squats; the only way to ap-
proach it is ina boat, and then even great silence must be
preserved. When the bird is by chance seen to walk on the
ground, its appearance is not very elegant, owing to the
formation and backward position of the legs, and the attitude
it necessarily requires to keep its balance, which is by carry-
ing its breast high, back arched, and tail lowered; in running
it is obliged to take long strides, in order to prevent treading
on its own long toes; but the strides when quickened by fear
increase its speed most wonderfully.

When an enemy approaches while the Coot swims on open
water, it stretches its head and neck out at full length, aids
its course by flapping its wings, and runs on the surface of
the water with its pattering feet, thus producing an incredible
noise. Where many of these birds are acting in concert,
the sound may better be fancied than described.

When pursued by a dog, it dives readily, and swims under
water to a great distance; on reaching the reedy cover, it
takes hold of the stalks of the plants under water, and only
stick its beak out for air, until the danger is past ; and it thus
becomes very difficult for dog or man to find it again. We
need not add that the present species is very shy, but ex-
pexience has proved that it may soon be tamed in confine-
ment where the required surface of water can be enclosed,
and food be provided, among which corn is a great in-
gredient ; under such circumstances, it thrives very well, and
lives for a length of time.

The call-note of the Coot is very peculiar, and may be
heard at some distance, it sounds like kew, or crew, it is

138 LOBIPEDIDE.

either uttered singly or several times in succession, when
it almost sounds like the barking of a small dog; the young
birds pipe like young ducks.

The food consists in water insects, their larvee, and divers
aquatic vegetable productions, such as buds, flowers, and
seeds; neither fishes nor frogs have been found in the
stomach of the Coot, but corn of several kinds, which it
obtains during the quiet hours of the night. During the
spring of the year the bird dives very frequently when in
pursuit of food, which is attributed to the aquatic vegeta-
tion not having reached the surface of the water.

In the month of March the reeds and sedges have not
attained a sufficient height for the cover of a nest, and
consequently the Coot chooses some last year’s tuft that
has remained untouched by the hand of man, and in many
cases the formation of a nest is deferred until May. From
the time of their arrival the birds begin to fight among
themselves for the preference of some chosen spot; when
several pairs, however, find shelter in a place proper for the
purpose, the fights of the male birds are thus constant ;
in some instances, the females join in the same until they
begin to lay their eggs. The foundation of the nest con- -
sists generally of the stumps of last year’s rushes that are
just level with the water, and the tallest are then bent down
to a centre, and interwoven by means of thinner herbage ;
frequently it is placed on some floating bunch of rushes, or
even entirely constructed of floating materials, where the
surrounding rushes prevent it from drifting: the size of the
nest 1s about eighteen inches in diameter, to a foot in height,
the interior cup is just deep enough to hold the eggs, and
sufficiently well constructed to keep them dry. About the
time that the nest is made, the surrounding reeds have at-
tained a sufficient height to allow the nearest to be bent

Coot. 139

down over the nest, and they thus form a perfect umbrella
or hood, which shelters it from view, and also keeps out
the rain.

The number of eggs ranges from seven to fourteen in
one nest, and as we figure the egg of the natural size, and
from a very good specimen, we shall not describe it further.
In three weeks the young brood make their appearance, they
are covered with a dingy black down, with a reddish-brown
head; they leave the nest as soon as they are dry and
follow their parents in the thickest parts of the rushes.

On the least approach of danger they become silent, but
at other times they are incessantly calling out. The parents
express much care for their young; the mother feeds them
while the father more generally watches for their safety.
When the weather is cold or raw, the young return to the
nest for a week or two to roost, and when a nest gets dis-
turbed, the eggs or young destroyed, the parents make in-
variably a new nursery and lay for the second time, but
hardly ever more than eight eggs. The flesh of the Coot
is not very good either in appearance or flavour, and
therefore unfrequently sold in the market for the purposes of
food.

The dimensions of the adult Coot are as follows: entire
length sixteen inches; the wing, from the carpus to the
tip, eight inches; the beak measures one inch ten lines ;
the tarsus two inches two lines; the middle toe three inches
three lines.

The head and neck are black; the back, wings, wing-
coverts, tail, and all the upper parts black, with a tinge
of deep ash-colour; the under parts are deep ash-grey; on
the front of the head is a white patch of a substance like
kid leather; the beak is white, tinged with carmine ; eyes

pure carmine-red; the legs and toes are cinereous-ash, with

140 LOBIPEDID.

a tinge of olive at the joints and borders of the webs of
the toes; the tibia is bright orange and carmine red. The
male and female are alike; the young are much paler in
colour, and the frontal plate on the head is smaller.

The egg figured 213 is that of the Coot.

PL. 914

MOOR-HEN. 141

GRALLATORES. RALLID &.

PLATE CCXIV.
MOOR-HEN.
GALLINULA CHLOROPUS.

THe Moor-hen is a common and half-domesticated in-
habitant, throughout the year, of almost all our rivers, ponds,
streams, and lakes, preferring slow streams and still water to
rapids, and the shelter of flags and sedges to open ground.

Throughout Europe, from Siberia to the most southern
extremities it is also plentiful, but in Denmark and Sweden
it is not frequent ; we may therefore conclude that the milder
and warmer climates suit its habits better than the cold.
In Africa the Moor-hen is met with by most observing tra-
vellers as far south as the Cape.

During the summer months this bird frequents our inland
rivers, ponds, and most of the quiet water-courses , but dur-
ing frosty weather it is driven from some of them by the ice,
and resorts naturally to the sharper streams or very sheltered
creeks that remain open.

During the winter it is very amusing to go in search of the
Moor-hen, particularly when the water is open and the sedges
half decayed, as the bird generally runs for shelter under some
root of a willow or alder that grows by the side of the water,
and remains for a considerable time in its safe retreat just out
of reach of a dog, who cannot easily dislodge it in any other

VOL. V. N

142 RALLIDE.

way than by its frantic gestures. When the bird flies off it
is easily shot, as its flight is slow, and in a straight line over
the surface of the water. In diving it is very expert, and it
also runs with ease over the aquatic plants; the water being
its usual place of resort, swimming comes naturally to it.

The food of the Moor-hen consists in worms, slugs, and
aquatic insects, which latter it is in pursuit of during the
entire day, swimming among the broad leaves of the water-
lilies ; and towards the evening it runs about on the meadows
in search of worms, slugs, grasshoppers, &c.

Throughout the month of March the noise that the Moor-
hen makes towards the dusk of the evening in sport, while
chasing its mate and fighting for its partner, is very peculiar
and incessant, much resembling the bark of a small dog ; and
they are so much engaged in this pastime, that they continue
it even while a spectator is looking on. The nest, which is
composed of sedges, and either placed among the thickest
parts of the reeds or among the intricate, exposed roots of
trees that grow on the banks, is generally very well concealed,
and just above high-water mark ; it is very well and strongly
constructed, and contains from seven to eight eggs, and some-
times more ; we remember taking two nests in one day, the one
having nine and the other ten eggs, these nests were both placed
among the roots of trees on the banks of the river Mole, be-
tween Esher and Cobham, in Surrey.

The Moor-hen is a very ornamental bird on the water,
nodding its head very gracefully at every stroke of its legs,
and its appearance indicates the retired quiet of the country ;
for its timid nature scares it within cover on the least ap-
proach of noise, and it very soon leaves its haunt if the busy
din of men encroaches on its territory.

The length of the Moor-hen is thirteen inches, its wing, from
the carpus to the tip, six inches nine lines.

MOOR-HEN. 143
The colouring of the plumage is apparently black, but on
closer inspection very rich and beautiful; the head, neck,
breast, and sides of the body are deep purplish-grey, the belly
and vent are dirty white, under tail-coverts clean white, and
the sides and thighs streaked with white ; the back, wings,
rump, and tail, are very dark brown, with a tinge of olive,
that appears very rich, owing to the silky texture of the fea-
thers ; the beak is of a delicate greenish yellow, the base of
which is beautifully ornamented with bright red, that extends
to the forehead ; the eyes are dusky, and the legs and feet
pale mellow green, with a bright red band around the naked
part of the tibia; the toes are ornamented with the requisite
scaled fringes that aid the bird in swimming and diving.
The egg figured 214 is that of the Moor-hen.

144 CHARADRIIDE.

GRALLATORES. CHARA DRITD A.

PLATE CCXV.
OYSTER CATCHER.
HEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS.

Tue Oyster Catcher is indigenous in Great Britain, and
very plentiful where the locality suits its habits it is also
met with on most of the European sea-coasts, from the most
northern latitudes to the Mediterranean Sea, and along the
Atlantic Ocean as far asSenegal. In Asia it is less frequent,
but in America it ranges from the Hudson’s Bay as far south
as Bermuda. The sea-coasts of Iceland, the Faro Isles, the
Hebrides, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, France, and
Spain, are its chief haunts, where the bird occurs in great
numbers; the isles on the west coast of Jutland are very
numerously inhabited by the Oyster Catcher. About
inland rivers and lakes it is now and then seen, but only
occasionally, and under peculiar circumstances.

The Oyster Catcher is generally considered to be a mi-
gratory species, but it seems not to leave Iceland at any time
of the year altogether, and only retires from its northern to
its southern extremity during the most inclement seasons of
the year, and the same circumstance may be observed in
Great Britain. In the Baltic it is said to arrive in the

SR zs ye

OYSTER CATCHER. 145

spring and depart in the autumn, as soon as its young become
full grown and have moulted. About the end of August
it disappears, and this migration of the most northern con-
tinues no longer than the month of October; by the end of
March and April it returns to its breeding-ground. During
the time of migration the flocks amount sometimes to
several hundreds, which fly in the same manner as wild
geese, being headed by one bird, and extending in two open-
ing, slanting lines; they fly at that time at a great elevation,
as well during the day as the night season. The clatter of
their voices may generally be heard at a great distance, and
is by far more clamorous when they fly in an irregular man-
ner, which sometimes happens through some accidental dis-
turbance, than when their flight is performed in the before-
mentioned regular order.

That the principal locality inhabited by the Oyster Catcher
is the sea-coast is already sufficiently explained, but we
have to add that the favourite ground on which the bird
passes its time during the day, is where a soft black surface of
mud covers the sandy or stony bottom thinly; or where scant
patches of grass and marine vegetation are intermixed with
humid spots, and the ground here and there broken by the
ebb and flow of the tide.

During high water the bird passes its time on the nearest
meadows or cornfields, but as soon as the tide turns it seeks
the newly-furnished, uncovered flats, where its table is again
richly supplied with food of great choice.

The general appearance of the Oyster Catcher is peculiar
and rather handsome, and for its usual attitude we must
refer our readers to our Plate. When on the ground, it runs
like the sandpipers with easy and short steps, although it is
well able to run fast if required ; it swims readily, but to no
great distance, and dives when danger prompts it to do so.

146 CHARADRIID#.

On the wing this bird is very strong; it beats the air in
the manner of ducks, and sails a short distance just before
alighting. The Oyster Catcher is a lively bird, and fond of
playing not only with its own species, but also with sea-
gulls and terns, besides which it frequently fights for the pos-
session of a mate, a chosen breeding-place, or food ; attacking
under such circumstances much larger birds than itself, and
driving them from the ground.

The present species is very shy and watchful, so that a
person can very rarely approach it within gun-shot; it is at
the same time on very good terms with harmless persons, such
as shepherds; it feeds morning, evening, and during the
night, and roosts most generally during the middle of the day,
standing on a stone, shelf ofa rock, or bank, sometimes resting
on one leg and sometimes on both ; trees of all descriptions it
avoids for fear of being surprised, and consequently never
perches by any chance.

It is a well-known fact that the Oyster Catohens is not only
a very hardy bird, but as tenacious of life as a cat, for when
one of them is brought to the ground by a gun-shot, which
lacerates its wing ever so much, it may most generally be
kept alive in confinement for a great length of time, and
the wound heals without much trouble.

The sociability of the Oyster Catcher is equally remarka-
ble; they are very rarely seen singly, and about their
breeding places they not only have their nests in numbers
close together, but intermixed with those of gulls, terns,
avocets, redshanks and divers other species. Besides their
sociability they may probably induce other birds to make
their company serviceable to themselves, for the Oyster
Catcher is the first of the party who notices not only the
approach of enemies, but who also attacks them and drives
them from the neighbourhood by means of blows with their

OYSTER CATCHER. 147

strong beaks: this occurs where the enemy is a rook, crow,
or skua.

The call-note of the bird in question sounds much like
the word quip or whip, uttered in a very high tone, and
repeated several times when on the wing: the concert is
generally begun by one bird in a moderate tempo, which
increases to allegro, and finally presto, presto, being joined
by an increased number of voices until all unite in the
chorus.

The Oyster Catcher is very easily kept in confinement,
and when it is obtained young may be made perfectly tame,
and kept at large in company with ducks and fowls, as it
will roost with them in the outhouses.

The food on which the bird subsists in a natural state
is reported to be oysters, from whence its name originates,
but it remains a question whether its beak is sufficiently
strong to open the shell of a living oyster, provided the
bird could even dive for such prey; the most probable truth
is, that when chance puts an oyster in its way and the shell
is open, the bird may draw the contents of the shell out
and eat them. Muscles are frequently devoured by the
present species, as the remains are found in the bird’s stomach,
and so are divers shell-fishes, worms, and marine insects,
which it finds among the pebbles that are below the soft
mud, and which it turns up and grubs among with its strong
beak. In pools, where crustacea and small fry are in abun-
dance, the bird also passes much of its time. In spots
where the shore-worm (arenicola lumbricotdes) is so numerous
on the retiring of the sea-water that numbers may be trod-
den to death at a time, the Oyster Catcher is most abundant,
and its strong beak may be provided for the purpose of
drawing these insects out of the hard sand inte which they
retire on the slightest noise. In confinement there is no

148 CHARADRIIDE.

difficulty in supplying this bird with food, as it consumes
bread, meat, and cooked vegetables, or rice, besides which
worms and snails whenever they come in its way.

The nest of the Oyster Catcher is most generally placed
on short grassy meadows or banks, just above high water
mark, and consists in a rounded hollow, scratched by the
bird in the ground and furnished with a few blades of grass
as a lining; in it the female deposits two or three eggs ;
on which she only sits during the night; after three weeks
the young come forth, and run about with their parents as
soon as they are dry. It is not difficult to catch the young
shortly after they are hatched, but they acquire very early
the knowledge of running to the water, to swim, dive, and
even to run a short distance under water for safety, so as
to get out of reach, not only of men but of a dog.

In consequence of the anxiety the bird shews for her
eggs she generally approaches a sportsman within gun-shot
during the breeding season and becomes an easy prey; the
young birds leave their birth-place in small companies as
soon as they have finished their moult, and in August
their parents follow them in like manner to milder regions
for the winter.

The Oyster Catcher measures about sixteen inches and
three-quarters to seventeen inches in length, the wing
from the carpus to the tip ten inches and three-quarters,
the beak two inches nine lines; tarsus one inch eleven
lines.

The colours of its plumage are, of the head, neck and
upper part of the breast deep black; the back, wings, and
tertials the same, with a reflection of bluish-ash colour; the
quills are dusky, as also the tail-feathers from half way down
to their tips, the basal half is white, the under parts are all

pure white, as well as the rump and upper tail-coverts;

A

ZA

OYSTER CATCHER. 149

the broad white tips on the greater wing-coverts form a very
broad band across the wings; the beak is orange-yellow ;
the eyes crimson-red, and the legs and feet purplish flesh
red ; claws dusky.

The male and female are alike; the young only differ
in substituting the black for dusky, the feathers being edged
with a lighter tint, and the parts which are white in the
adult are much tinted with sooty grey in the young.

The egg figured 215 is that of the Oyster Catcher.

150 CHARADRIID£.

GRALLATORES. CHARADRUDA,

PLATE CCXVI.

TURNSTONE.
STREPSILAS INTERPRES.

Tue Turnstone is a winter visitant in Great Britain,
arriving on the sea-coast during the month of August,
and departing again northward by the beginning of May
for the purposes of breeding in more solitary localities.

The geographical distribution of this bird is very widely
extended, as it inhabits periodically all the sea-coasts of
Kurope, Asia, Africa, and America from Greenland to the
very south. In Iceland, the Faro Isles, and Norway, it is
plentiful and well-known. In the inland parts of Continents
the present species is never found, or only occurs during
its autumnal migration to the south, and birds so met with
are chiefly single or at most to be seen in pairs, and have
rarely proved to be other than young birds that are driven
inland by gales or stormy weather.

In respect of migration the Turnstone differs greatly
from the Oyster Catcher by journeying during the night
only, and in pairs, but very seldom even in small parties,

and always following the sea-coast ; this bird is also irre-

TURNSTONE. 151

gular in its return to any given spot where it has been the
previous year.

The chosen localities are sandy shores, or shingly and
rocky coasts, here and there covered with sea-weeds, but
on black soft muddy shores it is never seen; it also seems
partial to short, grassy, heath-covered shores during the
breeding season.

The general appearance of the Turnstone is very hand-
some, owing as much to its figure as to its gay apparel ;
its motions on the ground are graceful and dexterous, it
runs much like the Lapwing, every now and then stopping
short to rest or pick up food, especially when it has reached
any elevation, either large or small; it is able to run very
fast, and does so when pursued before it takes wing; its
flight is elegant and quick, performed generally with half-
extended wings that are considerably curved; its evolutions
are very dexterous, skimming either close over the water or
the ground, and rising high in the air it seems to depart,
when, on a sudden, it returns again to the spot.

In its nature it is sociable among its own species, and
among other sea-birds; but it is one of the most shy to-
wards man, and can consequently only be shot from some
hiding-place during its stay with us.

The food consists in marine insects and their larvee, which
it obtains by turning up the pebbles and stones with its
wedge-shaped beak; where one or more of these birds have
frequented a certain spot on the shore, the number of stones
that have evidently been turned over is considerable; and this
circumstance is the origin of its name; it feeds also on
marine sand-worms and small crustacea, and during high
water it takes beetles and worms from the meadows that
skirt the shore.

The bird is very easily tamed, and may be kept in con-
finement on Bechstein’s universal paste,

152 CHARADRIID.

The place chosen for breeding by this species, is gener-
ally some sandy shore where heath-plants, and in parti-
ticular juniper bushes, grow, and also on sandy and rocky
coasts where the ground is bare of vegetation altogether ;
it is remarkable, however, that the Turnstone has no fixed
choice of locality, inasmuch that where several of them
are seen one year, they are known to be entirely absent
the next, and so vice versa.

The nesting-place is sometimes formed under the shelter
of some plant, stone, or abrupt corner, and at other times,
quite open on the bare sand or small broken stones: it
consists in a shallow depression, sparingly lined, if at all, with
a few blades of grass or bent, in which three or four eggs
are deposited, which are smaller than these of the lapwing,
and when fresh, greenish olive in colour, marked with spots
and streaks of dark ash colour and olive-brown or black ;
some specimens are much, and others little spotted, but most
about the large end; these eggs differ consequently very
much in their markings, and are more brownish-olive in
collections than green, owing to the changeable nature of
the colours upon egg shells.

The parent birds are very much attached to their brood,
and greatly contribute to their being found out in conse-
quence of their noisy behaviour on the approach of danger,
since their cries are frequently heard by the imtruder long
before the birds themselves have been observed. In Au-
gust, when the young are full grown, they leave their birth-
place with their parents, following the sea-shores southward
as before mentioned, for their winter quarters.

The present species measures about nine inches in length,
its wings six inches; tail two and a half; and the spurious
wing nine lines long by one in width, being therefore very

pointed.

TURNSTONE. 153

The colouring of its feathers differs so much in different
stages, that we need not be surprised that some ornithologists
have mistaken them for different species. The adult birds
(male and female) resemble each other perfectly, and are not
to be distinguished from one another.

The feathering of the head is pure white in the spring of
the year; from the forehead extends a velvet black streak
over the eyelid, which lowers itself close to the eye, and
unites directly below the eye with another that originates at
the base of the lower mandible, and encircling the throat, ex-
tends backwards below the cheeks without reaching the neck ;
from the throat below this, extends around the neck to the
back a very elegant sweep, forming a full black collar that
descends over the entire front and sides of the upper part of
the breast.

On each side of the nape is also a small black patch,
and the top of the head is ornamented with black shafts to
the feathers. The upper part of the back is black, inter-
mixed with rust-coloured feathering, forming irregular rows ;
the upper shoulder-feathers are bright rust-colour, with black
shafts, some below them are black, with rust-coloured, yellow
and white edges, the rust-colour extends over most of the
wing-coverts and tertials; the lesser wing-coverts are dusky,
with pale edges, the larger broadly tipped with white; the
back, rump, upper tail-coverts, and all the under parts, are
pure white ; the two middle tail-feathers are dusky, the rest
dusky, excepting the outer feather and the tips, which are
white; quills dusky, with white shafts at their base. The
beak is black, the eyes dark brown, and the legs bright
orange red.

The young birds of the year have the entire plumage of
the upper part of the body dusky, as well as the front of the
throat; the back feathers are edged with pale yellow, and

154 CHARADRIID#.

those of the wing-coverts and tertials edged with rusty yel-
low; the chin, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coyerts
white ; the legs and toes are yellowish flesh-red; the beak
bluish black ; eyes dusky.

The egg 216 is that of the Turnstone.

Ou

CRESTED LAPWING. 15!

GRALLATORES. i CHARADRIIDA,

PLATE CCXVII.
CRESTED LAPWING.

VANELLUS CRESTATUS.

Tue Crested Lapwing or Peewit is known all over Bri-
tain, and is indigenous with us; it is a very interesting
species, and not only considered good for the table in itself,
but its eggs are so generally admired as a dainty relish,
that the traffic in them is a great source of support to
many country folks, and profitable to the shopkeepers of
most towns. ‘The plumage of this bird is besides exceed-
ingly beautiful, and may challenge that of most other
species.

The geographical distribution of the Crested Lapwing
extends over Europe, Asia, and Africa; in Europe and
Asia it is not only plentiful but in some parts very nu-
merous; it inhabits Siberia, Persia, and China, Egypt
and Nubia: and in Europe extends from the southern
parts of Iceland to the Mediterranean, although its num-
bers are small in Norway and Sweden. In Great Britain,
Denmark, Prussia, Germany, and Holland it is remarka-
bly plentiful, especially in the latter country, owing to the
marshy nature of the land.

156 CHARADRIIDE

Its principal locality is low wet ground of all deserip-
tions, preferring the temperate and milder climates during
the winter, and the more northern during the breeding sea-
son.

The numbers of this species appear considerably greater in
the spring and autumn than at other times, owing to their as-
sembling in companies for their migrations. The months of
February and March are the usual time for the spring migra-
tion, varying a week or two, according to an early or late
spring ; and in October and November they return southward
in flocks of hundreds together.

In the south of France, Italy, and Greece great num-
bers reside during the winter; Sardinia also is a very fa-
vourite haunt during that time of the year.

The migratory movements of the Crested Lapwing are
more usually performed during the day than the night,
and at a considerably high elevation, keeping close together
and moving on without any regular order. It is very
interesting to watch these birds on the wing, as they wheel
and turn about so exactly at the same moment that it ap-
pears as if they were under the command of a military leader ;
shewing thereby all their predominant colours at the same
instant.

This bird is restless, watchful, and very shy, avoiding
therefore all cover of trees or plantations; it rarely ap-
proaches buildings, and alights consequently in the most
open and extensive meads and wastes. When a gun is
fired within hearmg of the Lapwing it is very difficult to
approach it for a length of time within range, the experi-
enced sportsman resorts thus to lying in wait for a flock
under the shelter of a hedge or embankment.

When engaged on the ground in pursuit of its food,
the Crested Lapwing carries its body in a horizontal di-

CRESTED LAPWING. 15%

rection, standing on high or straight legs, and inclining
its head downwards; it runs with ease and velocity. Be-
fore it takes wing it lengthens its neck, and with a spring
raises itself from the ground; on alighting it precipitates
itself with a rolling motion, and skims before touching the
ground.

Sociability is one of the virtues of this species, as may
be gleaned from their keeping together, which they also
practise during the breeding season to a much greater ex-
tent, for on the approach of an enemy they aid each other
in mobbing even the larger birds from their neighbour-
hood, and thus watch not only for their own safety and
that of their nest and young, but also for that of every
member of their congregation in concert. When the party
roosts, during the middle of the day, some remain awake
in order to give due notice of danger, and on the alarm
note being given they all take wing in an instant.

The Lapwing is very careful of its plumage, keeps it
always in good order, and very frequently oils it all over
with the secretion of fat near the tail; the result of this
is that rain-drops invariably run off its plumage. The pro-
cess the feathers undergo during the performance of greas-
ing is very beautiful to watch; the beak being supplied
with the oil, the feathers are carefully drawn through it,
and lastly the head is also rubbed by laying it backwards
and smoothing the plumage in general.

The principal food of the Lapwing consists in worms
and insects, beside the larvee of many species that are found
in abundance on meadows and pasture lands. One means
practised by them of obtaining worms in the morning early
is by looking for worm casts, and treading the ground
around them in order to induce the worm to show itself,
when by its dexterity the bird is almost certain to catch

158 CHARADRIIDE.

it. Morning and evening are in general the usual times of
feeding, which is continued also during moonlight nights.

The nest of the present species is always on the ground,
among grass or other short herbage in open situations,
commons, and meadows, provided there is water near at
hand. This summer we have been greatly amused by two
pair of these birds, which had their nests among some
wheat that had been much swamped, and consequently
had become stunted during the spring; the birds were
daily seen hovering over the place, calling their well-known
cry of peewit whenever a man or dog came within sight,
and the playful evolutions that were performed over the
river in the evening and continued till dark were extra-
ordinary, and elegant in the extreme.

The four eggs (the invariable contents of each nest) are
hatched in fifteen or sixteen days, and the young run about
as soon as they are dry; at first they are only clothed
in down, but in a fortnight the quills appear among it, and
they then resemble unsightly porcupines on high legs.

The Crested Lapwing measures full twelve inches; the
wing nine inches; the beak ten lines and a half; the tarsus
one inch ten lines.

The colouring of the beak is black, the eye brown, and
the legs and feet transparent red-brown ; the claws dusky.

The plumage in summer is as follows :—The head is orna-
mented with a pendant crest, which the bird generally carries
ona line with its beak, but which can be raised at pleasure
in a fan shape around the back part of the cranium; these
feathers are black, as are also the top of the head, the entire
front of the face surrounding the base of the beak, the chin,
fore part of the throat and entire upper part of the breast ; the
rest of the head and neck are pure white; the back, scapulars,
wing-coverts, and tertials are deep bronze-green, with rich

CRESTED LAPWING. 159

reflections, including most of the colours of the rainbow. The
quills are dusky, with the exception of the first four, which
are tipped with white; all the under parts are pure white ;
the upper and under tail-coverts pale orange-brown ; the tail-
feathers are white half way down from the base, the outer
entirely so, and the rest tipped; the other parts of these fea-
thers are dusky.

In winter plumage the throat is not so entirely covered with
black, and the rest of the colouring is duller.

The young of the year has a dusky streak below the eye,
instead of the black ; the throat is white, with ash-coloured and
brown markings, the entire plumage is edged with brown
ochre; the legs and feet are greenish ash-colour.

The egg figured 217 is that of the Crested Lapwing.

160 CHARADRIIDE.

GRALLATORES. CHARADRUD.

PLATE CCXVIII.
GREY PLOVER.
SQUATAROLA CINEREA.

Tue Grey Plover is chiefly an autumnal visitant with
us, although some few remain with us during the year. It
is amore northern and north-eastern bird in Europe than
the foregoing species. In Iceland and Norway it is unknown,
whereas it is frequent in Siberia and the northern provinces
of Russia, equally so in North America as far as Hud-
son’s Bay. ‘Towards autumn it travels southward to pass
the winter; and descends in America as far south as Louis-
iana, and in Asia it extends to Java. During its autumnal
migration it visits the Baltic, and the shores of the northern
ocean through Pomerania, Holstem, and Holland, where
it is by no means rare; its winter quarters in Hurope are
the south of France, Spain, Italy, Sardinia, and the Grecian
Archipelago.

This species, being chiefly an inhabitant of the sea-shores,
is very rarely met with inland, except during its migra-
tion in the autumn; on the west coast of Jutland and the
neighbouring islands the birds occur in troops of hundreds
during the spring and summer, as late as June, many ap-

SSRIS
Te

A J f a
ae a
|

GREY PLOVER. 161

parently paired, and of course in their matrimonial livery.
By the end of August these birds return there again from
the north, but the general migration continues through
September, October, and November, until snow and frost
hurry them to the south. The greater numbers that occur
on the coast of the Baltic and in Holland in the autumn
are believed to have come from the coast of the White Sea,
and to be only resting there on their way towards their winter
quarters.

The most extensive flat shores are the chosen spots for
the Grey Plover, provided low meadows and marshy lands
are within reach, on which it passes most of its time during
high-water, and returns again to the sea-shore, like most of
its family, as soon as the waves retire. It frequents also
those shores where heath plants are the only vegetation.
Hilly and rocky coasts, or parts where trees abound, it avoids
entirely.

This species feeds morning and evening, and roosts dur-
ing the day time, either standing or squatting on the ground,
and its migratory flights are performed during the night
time.

The food of the Grey Plover is chiefly worms, beetles,
and their larvee, which it finds on meadows, wastes, &c., and
marine insects, shore-worms (arenicola lumbricotdes), and the
softer shell-fishes, which it obtains on the sea-side, from among
the sea-weeds and muddy spots. Like the golden plover
the present species devours berries of the genus Vaccinium and
Empetrum.

In confinement the Grey Plover thrives very well on
bread and milk, intermixed with a few worms and meat.

The general appearance of the present species is peculiar
to itself; it walks about on the ground slowly and with
grace, and stops every now and then to pick up its food; it

0 3

162 CHARADRIID&.

carries its body in a horizontal position on straight legs, and
its head very close to its body, consequently increasing the
thick appearance of the head.

Its flight is like that of the golden plover, and very quick,
but it mostly opens its wings above its body before it starts,
and thereby shews the black colour of its breast to great ad-
vantage. It flies frequently near the ground, but during its
migration it travels at a great height in companies forming
two lines, headed by one bird; the lines extending to the
right and left: this species also flies faster than any other of
the plovers.

The adult birds of this species are very watchful, and do
not allow a person to approach them within gun-shot ; young
birds are not so difficult to approach, and sometimes during
the middle of the day, when they roost, they are so drowsy
that it is easy at that moment to steal upon them.

The nature of the Grey Plover is sociable, not only towards
its own species, but to every other coast-bird ; when a party
of them either go towards the shore or leave it for the mea-
dows and flat wastes, they unanimously keep together, but
when alighting, they mix with every other species, and thus
produce a motley group.

The call-note is very much like that of the golden ployer,
expressed somewhat like the word tleewee or gleewee. When
this species is obtained alive, either in a mature or young
state, it soon becomes tame, and lives for a length of time.

The reproduction of the species is supposed to take place
in the most northern climates, but respecting the nest and
egos nothing certain is as yet known.

The Grey Plover measures eleven inches and a half,
the beak, one inch; the wing, seven inches eleven lines ;
the naked part of the tibia, ten lines; the tarsus, one inch
eleven lines.

GREY PLOVER. 163

In summer, the space from the base of the beak, the chin,
throat, front and sides of the neck, breast, and belly, are
black ; the forehead, streak over the eyes, sides of the neck
and breast pure white; the thighs and vent, including the
under tail-coverts, the same. The crown of the head and
occiput are grey, spotted with dusky; the shafts black; the
nape brown, black, and white: all the upper parts black, each
feather broadly tipped with white; the tertials and wing-
coverts are barred with white; the quills dusky; the beak
black; legs blackish-grey ; eyes dusky.

In winter the forehead, chin, neck, sides of the breast, and
flanks are white, spotted with brown and grey: the head and
all the upper parts are dusky with grey edges and tips to the
feathers, the belly, thighs, vent, and upper tail-coverts are
white; the tail white, transversely barred with brown, and
tipped with brown ochre.

164 CHARADRIIDE.

GRALLATORES. CHARADRIID£E..

PLATE CCXIX.
SANDERLING.

ARENARIA CALIDRIS.

Tue Sanderling is a periodical visitant in Great Britain
during its vernal and autumnal migration, and is said to
have been obtained on most of our sea-shores. Its geo-
graphical distribution extends over most of the northern
parts of Europe, Asia, and America; it inhabits the coasts
of Iceland, Greenland, the Hudson’s Bay, Labrador, and
some part of Siberia; descending along the borders of the
rivers and principal lakes as far as Persia. During its migra-
tion, it visits, in Europe, the coasts of the Baltic, and
Sweden, but principally those of the northern Atlantic ;
also England, Germany, Holland, and France, preferring
thus the sea-coast, since its occurrence inland is but rare.
The time of its migration is September and April, going
northward to breed, and southward to avoid the rigour of
the winter season. During the month of November, its
numbers in Holland are very great, although it does not
remain there during the winter; on its return in the
spring, it remains on the Dutch coast to the end of May.
The migration takes place during the night, and principally
along the sea-shores, or across the sea itself; and the

nO

WO

SANDERLING. 165

locality it frequents during the daytime is flat, sandy, and
shingly ground, in preference to muddy or boggy spots.

The predominant white feathering of the Sanderling
distinguishes this bird, as well on the wing as on the ground,
from most others of its tribe; and the plumpness of its
figure, shortness of its neck, as well as the puffed up feather-
ing of the rump, enable a person who is acquainted with
it to single it out at a glance.

In its movements on the ground, the Sanderling shews
much ease and swiftness, although it rarely runs to any
great distance, but flies up if hurried; while in the pursuit
of food it carries its back quite horizontal, and its head and
neck lowered towards the ground. Although this species
does not run great distances unprovoked, still it is always
in motion, and remains longer in one and the same spot
than most of the shore birds; it seldom becomes stationary
except for the purpose of roosting, at which time it fre-
quently rests in a sitting position.

In its flight the Sanderling is very strong and graceful, ex-
tending its wings at greater length than most others of its
family. When the bird changes its ground, it flies invariably
in the direction of the shore, very little above the surface
of the water, avoiding every obstacle on the land, by
skirting it. When it alights, it sails a short distance and
then flutters a little before touching the ground, in order
to break its descent.

The Sanderling is not shy in any degree; it is harmless
and pleasing, and allows a person quietly to approach
within a few paces, and affords him thus sufficient leisure
to watch its manners and motions. If fired at, the bird
only gets up and flies to a short distance, it can therefore
most generally be obtained even by an inexperienced sports-
man.

166 CHARADRIID&.

Sociability among its fellows is also one of its good
qualities, for whether the party consists of few or many,
they always keep together, either during their migration, or
their stay in a place, and when they are forcibly separated
they unite again and again in the air. In Holland, where
the Sanderling appears in such numbers, the flocks of them
amount frequently to many hundred individuals, thus
literally covering the ground where they alight to some
extent. When a few only are assembled, they generally
attach themselves to some flight of other birds of their
size and habits, and even follow them wherever they go.

The call-note of this little bird sounds like the word
pit, pit! it is uttered in a high but very soft tone, and
therefore not heard at a distance.

In confinement there cannot be a more pleasing and tame
bird than the present species, and it is therefore easily
kept.

The food of the Sanderling consists in small worms,
marine insects, small crustacea and the larve of insects,
which it obtains by probing with its beak in the sand imme-
diately after the waves have receded, and also from among the
pebbles which retain the substances that are washed up by
the last waves.

As food for the table, the Sanderling is very good,
and in most cases the bird is not only in good condition,
but covered with fat to an incredible degree.

The reproduction of this species is believed to take place
in the most northern latitudes to which it penetrates, but
up to the present time nothing more is known on the
subject, although several naturalists have tried in vain to
find the nest and eggs.

Before we enter on describing the Sanderling’s plumage,
it is not out of place to remark how much the writers

SANDERLING. 167

of former times have been led into the error of calling the
same species by different names, through the changes that
many birds undergo during their maturing moults.

The length of this bird is about eight inches, its wing
nearly five inches; the beak eleven lines; the tarsus eleven
lines ; the middle toe not quite nine lines.

The plumage of the adult male in summer is the follow-
ing; a space between the eye and beak dusky, above which
extends a buffcoloured streak, passing over the eye. The
top of the head is rust coloured, with a black spot to
each feather, some having white tips; the cheeks are white
in front, spotted with dusky, their hinder edge tinged with
rufous; the nape, hinder part of the neck, sides of the
neck, back and scapulars, are rufous, the feathers being
all marked with black, and some few tipped with white ;
the tertials are black, and have rust-yellow edges; the
quills and two middle tail-feathers are dusky; the greater
and lesser wing-coverts are dusky, with the centres of the
feathers darkest, the lower part of the back and rump
dusky, barred with cinereous, and reddish edges to the
feathers ; the chin, throat, sides and front of the neck, and
upper part of the breast are more or less marked with black
and rufous, as represented in our plate. The beak, legs,
and feet are bluish-black, the eyes brown. All the under
parts are pure white.

In the winter plumage the upper parts of the bird are
pearl-grey with dusky shafts to the feathers; in place of
the dusky space between the beak and eye, it has only
a small black spot just before it; the last quill-feather in
the wing and the two middle tail-feathers are dark ash-
coloured. The wing-coverts are all dusky with pale edges
to each feather, the larger wing-coverts are broadly tipped
with white, forming a bar across the wing; the lower part

168 CHARADRIID®.

of the back and rump are cinereous in the middle, and
white at the sides; the upper tail-coverts are white. The
feathers around the base of the beak, a streak over the eyes,
the chin, throat, breast, and all the under parts, are pure
white, as also the eyelids.

The young bird of the year resembles the adult in the
markings, but the rufous colouring is quite wanting, with
the exception of a dull white that edges the feathering
of the upper parts ; the under parts are all white.

210 .

eee

aesDe
Vg SED EIS. cs

GOLDEN PLOVER. 169

GRALLATORES. CHARADRIIDA

PLATE CCXX.
GOLDEN PLOVER.

CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS.

Tue Golden Plover is indigenous in Britain, although
not many, comparatively speaking, remain here to breed ;
but their numbers receive a great accession in autumn from
large flocks which migrate southward from their breeding-
grounds in high northern latitudes, to pass the winter in
our milder regions. During the winter these flocks inhabit
low, marshy grounds, and the ee fields of. turnips,
fallow lands, or meadows.

The geographical distribution of the Golden Plover
ranges over many parts of the globe, principally the
northern half of it; it is known to inhabit periodically the
Hudson’s Bay districts, Canada, Siberia, Persia, and the
East Indies. In Europe it occurs in Russia, Norway,
Sweden, Iceland, the Faro Isles, the Hebrides, Scotland,
England, Holland, and every country southward, to the
borders of the Mediterranean ; and in Sardinia it is more
numerous during the winter than anywhere before named ;
it also reaches Syria.

The localities above mentioned are its most frequented
haunts with us, but it also frequently occurs on open
heath grounds, flat or hilly, and in young corn fields, and

VOL. V. P

170 CHARADRIIDEA.

is therefore not exclusively attached to wet ground. About
the latter end of September the present species arrives
here from the north, first in small flocks, and during the
month of October in larger, according to the season being
more or less cold, earlier or later; this bird can bear cold
very well, but sharp frosts, occasioning scarcity of food,
naturally drive it southward.

Its migratory wanderings generally take place during the
night, although pressing circumstances frequently oblige it
to perform them during the day.

In the autumn its course is observable from the north-
east towards the south and south-west, and in the spring
from the south towards the north and north-east; it flies
at such times at a great elevation, and at a very rapid rate,
often in hundreds together, and, lke many others of its
kind, in a double line, being headed by one individual.
When performing its journey over the sea, out of reach of
land, and being overtaken by stormy weather or contrary
wind, it has been frequently observed to alight on the
water for rest, and after a while reascend and continue its
journey.

The food of the Golden Plover consists in worms, small
beetles, slugs, and other insects, vegetable matter, and ber-
ries of heath plants, which enable it to subsist on the pro-
duce of wet and dry ground equally ; the principal feeding-
times are morning and evening, also most part of the night,
when the moon or stars enable it to continue its search :
it roosts on the ground, standing under the scanty shelter of
some grassy tuft or heath-plant, either during the night or in
the middle of the day.

In confinement the Golden Plover is easily supplied with
food, on account of the diversity of its taste, but worms and
bread and milk will satisfy it very well.

~

GOLDEN PLOVER. 171

The general appearance of the Golden Plover on the ground
is peculiar enough to distinguish it from most others of its
family, owing to its chequered plumage and thick round head;
its gait is not less distinct, for it runs with great velocity
and for a considerable distance, now and then stopping on
some slight elevation, in order that it may look about to
guard against danger, as circumstances may require.

On the wing the Golden Plover is very expert and swift,
much resembling in that particular the lapwing; it utters
its shrill note continually, and consequently often endangers
its own safety ; its note sounds like the word tluwee, tluwee !
uttered at a high pitch, and considerably loud.

In our neighbourhood we have had opportunities of ob-
serving the manners of the present species for several years,
and there are few winter visitors that have given us more
pleasure to watch, or that occur in greater numbers ; it will
hardly be necessary to remark, that we speak of the meadows
bordering on the Thames near Chertsey. When going out
early in the morning we have seen several flocks, particularly
from December till March, haunting the vicinity, and either
running about in numbers on the ground, or sweeping low
over our heads, and by imitating their call-note, they in-
variably approached within gun-shot ; during the middle of
the day they are either seen standing on the ground or
skimming very low over it; and in the evening, when we
have watched for ducks or snipes just before dark, we have
seen whole flocks of the Golden Plover come over the osier-
beds at an incredible rate from several quarters, flying in close
crowds to their feeding-ground on the short grass, and under
such circumstances it is easy to kill several of them at one
shot.

The flesh of the Golden Plover is very excellent food, and,
generally speaking, the birds are in good condition.

yD

a

172 CHARADRIIDE.

During rainy and drizzly weather the Golden Plover ap-
pears to be more active on the wing than at other times ;
when the frost is severe without snow, the bird leaves our
immediate vicinity for heath ground, but if the snow covers
the ground, and the weather is mild, they soon return to look
for the spots that can afford them food, being exposed by
means of thaw; such places being the rendezvous of the
worms and insects that are called forth by the reappearance of
light and air.

Although the reproduction of this species takes place in
greater numbers in more northern countries than our own,
to which the Golden Plover resorts in the spring of the year,
travelling from the end of March till May, yet many remain
behind in this and other countries during the breeding-season,
and are then found upon open, heathy moors, chiefly in pairs.

The egg figured in our Plate was drawn from a specimen
taken on Woking Common, in Surrey, a well known breeding-
station for the Crested Plover. This specimen presents the
peculiar form of the egg of this species in great perfection, the
larger end shewing a very perfect semicircle, and the slope,
which leads to the smaller end, exhibiting a true straight line.

The female, when choosing the locality for her nest,
searches for a slight depression in the ground, and, after
placing in it a few roots of heath-plants or grasses, deposits
her four eggs, which we cannot better describe than by
referring to our figure. We may remark, that the epithet

(44 39
golden,

usually applied to this bird, is equally applicable
to its egg.

The female bird incubates the eggs alone, and after seven-
teen days the young come forth, and leave the nest as soon as
they are dry; when danger approaches while the parent bird
sits on the nest, she does not take wing, but runs to some

distance before doing so, in order to mislead the intruder.

GOLDEN PLOVER. ie

The measurements of the Golden Plover are as follows:
its entire length about eleven inches, its wing, from the car-
pus to the tip, eight inches, the beak one inch, and the tar-
sus one inch eight lines.

The plumage of the adult bird in summer is jet black on
the upper parts, the edges of the feathers being regularly
spotted with gold yellow; the forehead and space above the
eyes pure white, the sides of the neck the same, but spotted
with black and yellow; the throat, front of the neck, breast,
and belly, black; the eyes are brown, legs lead-colour, and
the beak dusky.

In winter the top of the head and all the upper parts are
dusky, with paler yellow spots on the edges and tips of the
feathers ; the sides of the head, neck, and breast, irregularly
streaked, and spotted with raw umber brown, and grey; the
throat, belly, and vent are white; the quills are dusky, with
white streaks along the shafts; the greater wing-coverts are
tipped with white ; the eyes, legs, and beak much the same
as in the adult in summer. The male and female are very
nearly alike. .

The young of the year are brown, with yellow spots on
the upper parts, both colours being strongly mixed with
greyish-ash.

The egg figured 220 is that of the Golden Plover.

174 CHARADRIIDA.

GRALLATORES. CHARADRIID/E.

PLATE CCXXI.
CREAM-COLOURED COURSER.
CURSORIUS ISABELLINUS.

Tue Cream-coloured Courser is a very rare, accidental
visitant, not only in Great Britain, but in Europe altogether ;
three or four instances are on record of its capture in Eng-
land, and it has consequently obtained a place in the list
of British Birds. The information obtained from several orni-
thologists is, that this species inhabits most parts of Africa,
but respecting its habits nothing has as yet come to light
sufficient to enable us to enlarge upon it; and from the
little we know of its habits, it appears very erroneously
placed among the water-birds, since every specimen that
has been captured in Europe was found on some sandy or
stony, barren waste; in Africa it equally frequents such in
a more decided degree, namely, the wide deserts; one speci-
men was met with on the European continent, on a sandy
beach by an inland sea or lake, and when found was in the
very act of drinking.

The food cf the Cream-coloured Courser consists in
insects and their larvee, but neither vegetable matter, seeds,
nor berries are supposed to contribute to its support.

The length of the Cream-coloured Courser is ten inches,
the beak nine lines, the wing from the carpus to the tp

IP ese ar

CREAM-COLOURED COURSER. 175

six inches; the tarsus two inches three lines; the naked
part of the tibia nearly one inch.

The plumage of this species is soft and close; the forehead
and top of the head are yellowish rust-colour; the hinder
part of the head pearl-grey; over the eye begins a white band,
that surrounds the nape below the grey colouring, and from
the eyes runs another very ornamental velvet black band
to the nape; over this black on the nape is a triangu-
lar black spot on the white, which enhances the beauty of
the head very much; the chin, throat, breast, belly, vent
and under tail-coverts are all white, with a tinge of yellow
rust or cream-colour; the upper parts are the same as the
forehead ; all the tail feathers are tipped with white and
marked with a lancet shaped shaft streak of dusky colouring,
except the two middle feathers, which are of a uniform
colour like the back feathers. The quills are dusky, the
beak is dusky at its tip and buff coloured at the base, the
eyes are brown; the legs are cream coloured, and grey at
the joints and soles of the feet. The male and female are
alike.

Young birds are transversely marked with dusky on several
parts of the plumage, the black ornamental band about the
head is narrower, of a dusky tint, and irregular.

176 CHARADRIID&.

GRALLATORES. CHARADRIUDL.

PLATE CCXXII.
DOTTEREL.
CHARADRIUS MARINELLUS.

Tue Dotterel is a summer visitant in Great Britain,
arriving, from its more southern winter quarters, on its way
northward, to breed; some remain here in places suitable
to their habits, but their numbers are not so great as
formerly, owing probably to the increase of cultivation.

The geographical range of the Dotterel is extensive, but
not so much so as some others of its family; in the
spring of the year it migrates to the northern countries of
Kurope and Asia for the purpose of breeding, such as
Siberia, Finland, Lapland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, but
many pairs remain to breed in the intermediate countries over
which they travel. The winter quarters of this species are the
south of France, Spain, Italy, the islands of the Medi-
terranean, Turkey, Tartary, and Persia. In Holland this
bird does not frequently occur, as the locality does not suit
its habits.

The favourite haunt of the Dotterel is the most barren,
uncultivated ground, where, at most, heath-plants are
thinly scattered. Dry, sandy sides of the highest mountains
of Scotland and Westmoreland are the places to look for it ;
and the only time if is ever seen by the water is in the even-

DOTTEREL Wii

Ing or early in the morning, when it requires drink or
bathing, of which it is very fond. On the moors where the
Ptarmigan abounds, this bird is very commonly seen in
great numbers, even as high up the northern Alps as that
region where vegetation ceases.

In Central Europe, where the countries are only hilly
instead of mountainous, the Dotterel frequents short grassy
meadows, large wastes, and the sides of hills where sheep
are grazing, but neither in wet places nor on the banks of
lakes or rivers is it ever seen.

The migratory journeys are performed in the daytime,
rarely at night, when the flock flies at a great height, giving
notice of its approach by the call-note; in the autumn these
flocks may be seen from August till the month of October,
and are then more numerous, owing to the addition of the
young broods, that swell their numbers; in April the return
to the north takes place, during which time it is by far more
difficult to obtain specimens than in the autumn. These
birds keep no regular order when journeying, like the
Plovers, but move on in a body very close together,

When the Dotterel stands on the ground, the dusty
colouring of the upper plumage is well adapted to render
it unnoticed, as it harmonizes perfectly with the dry sandy
locality it prefers; its body is most generally carried hori-
zontally, standing on straight legs, or in the manner repre-
sented in our plate.

Its movements are elegant, but it does not seem to
be fond of unnecessary exercise, as it frequently stands look-
ing about fora length of time; however, when endangered,
it can run with great velocity. Where the present species
abounds during the summer months, its feet are frequently
found to be loaded with gossamer, which it accumulates to
a burdensome extent.

178 CHARADRIID.

The flight of the Dotterel is very quick, and the bird
is exceedingly dexterous in its motions; it avoids flying
unnecessarily in windy weather, and when compelled to do
so, flies low to the ground.

By nature this species is not shy, but rather the reverse,
‘and has consequently been called stupid, since it has, under
many circumstances, been approached by travellers and
sportsmen to within three or four yards; and is even re-
ported to imitate the actions of a person who stops to
watch it on the ground; it is also very frequently em-
ployed in dusting itself, and so allows persons to approach
it unnoticed ; but we do not believe all that is said respect-
ing its folly, as many well-known shy birds remain close
on the ground, not only when a sportsman approaches,
but even when a dog points the game out to its master ;
if the Dotterel should act the part of a mocking-bird, it
remains a question whether the antics of the bird or the
beholder are most calculated to excite risibility.

The call-note of the Dotterel sounds like the word durrr
or drew, expressed more in the tone of a flute than in the
shrill note of a whistle; it also utters the word dutt, dutt !
while in the act of taking wing.

In confinement this bird becomes soon tame, but, owing
to its tender nature, it hardly ever thrives above one year,

The food of the Dotterel is chiefly insects and_ their
larvee, worms, and sometimes a little vegetable matter. The
worms are obtained towards the evening, and at other times
of the day small beetles and larvee of insects are carefully
picked up and greedily devoured. On the mountains in
the north countries, the smaller grasshoppers that abound
there have been found in this bird’s stomach, and also the
tender leaves of the Geum montanum. In the evening the
bird approaches the water in order to quench its thirst or

DOTTEREL. 179

to bathe, and soon after it runs into the neighbouring fields,
where it remains for the night, and by the morning it returns
to its before mentioned haunts on the dry land, to recom-
mence its search for food in the usual manner,

The reproduction of the species takes place in many parts
of Europe; especially the habits of the Dotterel are well
known during the breeding season to the shepherds that watch
their sheep on the mountains, and it is a remarkable fact
that the numbers of this species have not only very much
decreased in England, but equally so on the mountains
and hills in Germany ; with us the reason assigned is, that
the Dotterel is constantly pursued by sportsmen, who are
very anxious to obtain its plumage for the purpose of making
artificial flies for fishing: other causes probably exist, that
are difficult to ascertain.

The nest of the Dotterel is a mere hollow, scratched in
the surface of the ground, and in it a few mosses and
lichens are carelessly placed.

The eggs, which vary from three to four in number, are
not easily obtained in this country; their texture is dull.
The bird sits very close, and remains till danger approaches
it, nearly to touching, and then it runs or flutters off for
a distance, never exceeding twenty or thirty paces, where
it awaits the result. On leaving the nest it utters the
same shrill but soft notes as the lark. The male and female
incubate the eggs by turns, which a friend of ours has
proved by killing the sitting bird on the nest, which was
ascertained to be a male. The chief of the young broods
are running about by the end of June, although some
sitting birds have been found in the middle of July; the
young leave the nest as soon as they are hatched, and the
parent birds are apparently very much attached to them.

The Dotterel measures nine inches and a half; its beak

180 CHARADRIIDE.

seven lines and a half; its wing from the carpus to the
tip six inches ; the tarsus one inch and a half.

The plumage of the adult bird in summer is as follows:
the cheek, throat, and band over the eyes white; the top
of the head and occiput rich brown; the back, wing-coverts,
and scapulars ash-coloured, tinged with olive, each feather
narrowly edged with yellowish-white; the greater wing-
coverts are pearl-grey, edged with white; the nape ash-
coloured; the sides and fore part of the neck also ash-
coloured; a white gorget ornaments the upper part of the
breast, which is surmounted with a black line; the lower
part of the breast and sides are rich burnt sienna; the cen-
tral part of the belly, just above the legs, is black; the
hinder part of the belly, vent, and under tail-coverts are
white, with a strong tinge of rufous; tail cinereous at the
base of the feathers, dusky black towards their extremities,
and tipped with white. The beak is black; eyes brown ;
legs olive, tinged with ash; the quill-feathers are ash-grey
at their base, and dusky towards the tip, the first with a
white shaft.

In winter plumage the top of the head is ochreous yellow
with dusky spots; the fore part of the neck cinereous
ash, with yellow edges to the feathers; the breast and belly
also cinereous with yellow edges; the upper parts are cine-
reous, spotted with dusky and tile-red edges to the feathers
of the back, yellow ochre edges to those of the wing, ex-
cept the primaries, which are black; the gorget is not
framed by such a decided black line, and the orange-brown
and black on the under parts are entirely wanting.

The egg figured 222 is that of the Dotterel.

RING DOTTEREL. 181

GRALLATORES. CHARA DRIITDZE.

PLATE CCXXIII.
RING DOTTEREL.
CHARADRIUS HIATICULA.

Tue Ring Dotterel is indigenous in Great Britain, and very
generally distributed over the coast and borders of lakes and
rivers ; its geographical distribution is far and wide, it is found
in every quarter of the globe, from the arctic to the antarctic
circle; in Greenland and in the Sandwich Isles ; the Hudson’s
Bay, Virginia, Carolina, Jamaica, and the Brazils ; in Siberia
and Tartary, in Nubia and the Cape of Good Hope. In
Kurope it inhabits Scandinavia and Iceland, Spain, Italy, and
Greece, and all the intermediate countries, some in greater,
some in lesser numbers. In Liefland, Prussia, Denmark,
Sweden, Norway, the Baltic, and all the coasts of the northern
ocean; and in Holland it is very numerous.

In every country the Ring Dotterel frequents the borders
of seas, lakes, and rivers, of large and small dimensions ; and
we have obtained specimens on the banks of the Thames,
near Chertsey, in Surrey.

Although the present species remains with us the whole
year, it is migratory in many countries, passing the summer
months in the northern and the winter in the warmer climes.
Its migrations are performed during the night, travelling

182 CHARADRIIDS.

south during the months of September and October, and
returning in April to its summer quarters.

The principal locality which pleases the Ring Dotterel
is a sandy sea-coast, but it does not so exclusively remain
there as other species hereafter to be described, inasmuch that
the sea and its productions are not essential to its subsistence ;
and it also frequents dry sandy flats and waste lands in
the vicinity of water, for water it requires at all times.
On muddy or marshy shores it is never seen.

Its breeding places are on the already named sandy shores
of the sea, the most barren and devoid of vegetation. On
the mountainous coast of Norway, this species breeds at a
considerable elevation, almost close to the patches of snow
that remain there late on the surface.

When the Ring Dotterel is on the ground in search
of its food it is a very pretty object in consequence of the
contrasting colours of its plumage; its shape is not exactly
one of the most beautifully proportioned, but it is peculiar,
owing to its round head and plump figure; it carries its
body generally in a horizontal manner, with its breast some-
what lowered and its neck short: when in the act of run-
ning it lengthens its neck, and thus becomes more slender ;
it runs very fast, and turns its body to the right and left,
without showing its direction beforehand with its head ;
it runs very much in the manner of the wagtail, stopping
every moment for the purpose of looking round; and as
this is performed in quick succession, it distances itself very
soon from its pursuer without the least appearance of exer-
tion. The flight of the Ring Dotterel is very quick, and
performed with moderate flapping of the wings; on being
met with on the shores, it frequently flies in a semicircle
low over the surface of the water, and soon settles again,
opening its wings above its back before flying and just

RING DOTTEREL. 183

after alighting; during its migrations it flies very high
through the air.

Among the virtues of the present species, we cannot
reckon sociability among its fellows, for, except during the
time of migration, when the number hardly exceeds twenty
or thirty, a single pair, and frequently only a single bird,
shews itself in a given spot; during the breeding-season,
the males often fight in the manner of bantams, not how-
ever shewing so much courage, for one of them soon gives
in. This bird is very active, particularly towards the even-
ing, continuing its exertions during light nights until the
morning; in the middle of the day it roosts on the ground.
The call-note and the cry of fear resemble each other very
much ; the first is only an often repeated trull, trull, trull !
and the latter, when startled, a single truwee ! both expressed
in a pleasing flute-like key. By nature, this bird is very
hardy, and may easily be kept in confinement, becoming
tame, and feeding willingly on bread and milk, &c.

In a wild state, the Ring Dotterel feeds on small beetles,
insects, and their larvee, small worms, and marine insects
of divers kinds.

This bird is fond of bathing, and often soaks itself so
entirely, that it can hardly take wing.

The breeding locality of the Ring Dotterel has already
been described, and we only need repeat, that the sea-
coast supplies it by far more frequently than lakes or rivers.
There is no nest made for the reception of the eggs of this
species ; they are deposited invariably on the barren ground,
namely, the dry sand just above high-water mark; the
number of the eggs for a brood is three or four, which are
incubated by both parents; the pair are very much attached
to each other, and shew great anxiety as well for the safety
of one another, as for that of their eggs and young. After

184 CHARADRIID#.

fifteen or sixteen days, the young come forth, and run
about as soon as they are dry; they find their safety
on the approach of danger, by lying flat on the ground.

The Merlin seems peculiarly fond of the Ring Dotterel’s
young brood, and may frequently be seen to haunt the
breeding-places of this species. ‘The manner in which the
Ring Dotterel, as well as several other species, are to be
caught on the sandy sea-shore, is by means of a stick, of
about three feet long and an inch in diameter; to this stick
several horse-hair nooses are fastened, and the stick being
pressed flat in the sand, it becomes invisible, leaving the
horse-hairs only exposed. This mode is often practised, and
repays the trouble well, as the flesh of the bird is very
good for food.

The Ring Dotterel measures seven inches and a half in
length, its beak seven lines and a half; the wing, from the
carpus to the tip, five inches; the tarsus eleven lines and a
half.
The back and nape of the head, and all the upper parts
are cinereous-brown, and the remainder of the plumage
white, with the following black markings; over the eyes a
broad black band runs across the head, another extends
from the forehead and whole width of the upper mandible
below the eyes, over the cheeks and ear-coverts, and meets
at the nape; the white from the throat surrounds the nape
below the black just described, and is entirely bounded by
the black that covers the upper part and sides of the breast,
and encircles the neck at its base. The quills are dusky,
the secondaries shew the white upon each of the quills
about their middle ; the greater wing-coverts are tipped with
white, thus forming a white bar across the wing; the tail
has the middle tail-feathers uni-coloured like the back,
but darker at their ends; the next are tipped with white,

RING DOTTEREL. 185

and the outer entirely white; the upper tail-coverts are
white; the eye dusky brown, the eyelids yellow; the beak
is orange at the base, yellow about its centre, and black
at the tip; legs and feet orange-yellow, claws black.

The female is marked much the same as the male, but
the markings on the white ground are dusky, where they are
black in the other sex.

The young of the year has only a dusky mark between
the beak and the eye, the forehead dirty-white; the feathers
of the upper parts are edged with pale yellow, the gorget on
the breast is cinereous brown ; the beak entirely dusky, the
feet yellow.

The egg figured 223 is that of the Ring Dotterel.

VOL. V.

186 CHARADRIID&.

GRALLATORES. CHARADRIID ZE.

PLATE CCXXIV.
LITTLE RING DOTTEREL.
CHARADRIUS MINOR.

Tue Little Ring Dotterel has only lately been added
to the list of British Birds, in consequence of a specimen
that was shot at Shoreham in Sussex, but we presume that
its great resemblance to the foregoing species has been the
cause of its remaining unnoticed, as we have undoubted
authority that the bird is frequently met with on the Huro-
pean continent, and that its geographical distribution is
extensive.

This species does not appear so far north as the cha-
radrius hiaticula: it is known in Sweden, but rare in Hol-
land; in the south of France, in Italy, and Switzerland it
is pretty numerous, as well as in most of the southern
countries of Europe, also in Nubia, Abyssinia, and the
Philippines ; T’emminck has received specimens from Japan.

In central Europe the Little Ring Dotterel arrives rarely
in March, but more frequently in April, from its warmer
winter quarters, and retires again in August and Septem-
ber for the winter.

The migrations are performed in pairs in the spring, and
in parties of from five to ten in the autumn, and invariably

LITTLE RING DOTTEREL. 187

during the night. During this time of the year they are
very noisy on the banks of rivers and lakes, uttering their
call-note, running and flying about incessantly.

The locality generally preferred is the bank of a river,
lake, inland sea, or large pond, by far more unfrequently
the sea-coast, differing in this respect greatly from the
foregoing.

Sandy and gravelly soils suit its habits best, and more
particularly the banks of running streams, such as the Elbe,
Mulde and Saale in Germany, where the ground is flat,
and hardly covered by vegetation, whether near or distant
from towns or villages, and in such spots it annually breeds.

The busy time for this pretty Little Dotterel is morn-
ing, evening, and the greater part of the night; in conse-
quence of which it roosts during the day on the ground,
either standing by the water-side or squatting very closely,
and may thus very easily be approached with reasonable
caution.

The habits of the Little Ring Dotterel are very much
the same as those of the foregoing species, and this simi-
larity adds consequently greatly to the chance of their being
undistinguished from one another by the general observer ;
it runs not quite so fast; its flight is also quick, and
performed in the same manner as that of the charadrius
hiaticula. When the present species is endangered by the
approach of man, it frequently takes wing, and alights upon
some floating weed, where it remains till the intruder is
distanced: this latter action is peculiar to this species.

During the breeding-season this bird is sociable, not only
towards its own species, by having several broods in the
same locality, but also towards others of the shore birds,
such as terns, that frequent inland shores during that

time.

188 CHARADRIID&.

The call-note resembles the sound deca, dut, or dit,
several times repeated.

When obtained young, this species will live for a couple
of years in confinement, and becomes very tame and amusing,
and feeds on bread and milk, intermixed now and then with
worms, mealworms, and other insects.

In a wild state the food of the Little Ring Dotterel
consists in coleopterous insects, flies, worms, and the larvee
of insects, also water-insects, which it obtains by wading
in the shallows.

The spot chosen for the nest of this species is generally
where the smallest particles of gravel cover the surface of
the ground, but never on the fine sand, as some authors
have stated; the nest itself is a perfect rounded cavity in
the ground, or layer of small stones, and in it four eggs
are deposited, of the size and colour represented in our
plate. The parent birds incubate the eggs principally during
the night, when the weather is fine, also during the day
when it rains, or when the sun is overshadowed by clouds ;
and in sixteen or seventeen days the young run about,
which have the instinct of hiding themselves so cleverly
on the appearance of danger, behind a stone or weed, that
it is very difficult to find them without the aid of a dog.

The size of the Little Ring Dotterel is not quite seven
inches in length; the wing five inches and a half; tarsus
eleven lines and a half; the naked part of the tibia four
lines ; the beak six lines.

The plumage of this bird in adult summer-livery is very
nearly the same as that of the foregoing species, but the
shape of the bird being much more slender, and the legs
and feet so widely different, it is strange how the two
species can be mistaken when compared. The feathers
on the back of the head, and from the back extending over

LITTLE RING DOTTEREL. 189

all the upper parts are a delicate drab colour; the fore-
head, chin, and neck all around, and all the under parts
are pure white, with a well-defined black ring around the
throat, chest, and sides of the upper half of the breast ;
the quills are dusky, with a white shaft to the first primary
feather; the outer tail-feather is pure white, the rest tipped
with white; the beak is black; the eyes dark brown, with
the lid ochrous-yellow; the legs and feet are flesh-red,
with a tinge of yellow; claws black.

The female resembles the male, but the black ring around
her neck does not cover so much space.

The young bird has the edges of the feathers bordered
with paler colouring, the black entirely wanting, and in
its place the cclouring of the back in a darker shade; the
eyelids are white, and the legs are flesh-coloured with grey
joimts. ‘The white on the under parts not so pure.

The egg figured 224 is that of the Little Ring Dotterel.

190 CHARADRIIDE.

GRALLATORES. CHARADRUDA.

PLATE CCXXV.
KENTISH PLOVER.

CHARADRIUS CANTIANUS.

Tue Kentish Plover has been sometime known as a sum-
mer Visitant in Great Britain, specimens having been obtained
as early as the year 1787, according to Dr. Latham, and its
name was given it in consequence of the locality where it was
first met with and noticed. Divers other specimens have
since come under the notice of ornithologists, not only on the
coast of Kent, but in Suffolk and Norfolk. This species is
very generally distributed over the milder countries of Europe,
Asia, and North Africa; in Europe it periodically visits
Britain, France, Holland, the shores of the Adriatic, the
Baltic, and the Mediterranean. It rarely ascends as far
north as Sweden, as the climate does not suit its habits. In
Asia it inhabits Tartary, and in Africa, Egypt and Nubia.

In the true sense of the word the Kentish Plover is
a sea-coast bird, and rarely occurs on the banks of rivers or
sweet water. During the time of migration it frequents
the mouths of large rivers, and the islands that are along
the coasts, but at most times of the year it is exclusively
to be met with on the immediate sea-shores.

By the end of April and during May this species arrives
from the warmer climes, at its breeding places, which consist
in the grass-covered ridges of low land that are broken
by unusual high tides, or that are kept very short of vegeta-
tion by the occasional feeding of cattle, when the season
allows it; the ground that is covered with maritime plants,
and here and there interrupted by barren sand, that is partly
bestrewed with mussel-shells and small crustacea, generally

TTY ey
H) an PO

/

KENTISH PLOVER. 191

attracts this bird in considerable numbers; black muddy shores
equally invite it, where the tides wash the sea-weeds up, with
the rich provender attached to them. Where high water forces
the Kentish Plover to leave its ground, the bird not unfre-
quently retires to the neighbouring meadows and ploughed
fields, or to a greater distance to heath-ground and pasture land.

The general appearance of the Kentish Plover when on
the ground is rather bulky for its size, and the predominant
white of its plumage very soon discovers it to the beholder ;
when approached it runs very fast, and to a considerable
distance ; after which, as the traveller approaches, it circles
to one side, still keeping the distance it has obtained, and
shewing the beholder at most times its profile. Its flight
is very quick, and performed much in the manner of the
ring-dotterels, but exceeding them by far in speed.

Before taking flight it opens its wings wide above its back,
and generally skims the surface of the water when it. does
not intend to leave the neighbourhood; on alighting it
skims a short distance, and on touching the ground with
its feet it opens its wings again wide, then runs a short space
and looks round before it begins its vocation of feeding.

Its food consists in worms, marine insects and_ their
larvee, which it naturally finds in considerable quantity
on the before-named ground; during high-water worms and
other insects supply the place of its more favourite food.

The nest of the Kentish Plover is placed just above high-
water mark, on the ground, and consists of a hollow scratched
for the reception of the eggs, and lined with a few blades of
grass, or other faded vegetable matter. The eggs are four
in number, and so different from all others that they can
hardly be mistaken. During the day this bird rarely sits on
the eggs, but resembles the former species in this respect,
and when any danger draws near, the bird immediately runs

off the nest, which of course makes it a very difficult matter

192 CHARADRIID®.

to find the eggs. In about: seventeen days the young run
about, at which time the parents become very uneasy, and
flutter about the person who approaches, uttering their
cry of fear, pwee, pwee! pitt, pitt! or tirrr, tirrr !

The measurements of the Kentish Plover are as follows:
its entire length, nearly seven inches; its wing from the
carpus to the tip measures four inches four lines ; the tarsus
one inch, and the beak seven lines.

The plumage of the adult male in summer is bistre over
all the upper parts, from the root of the neck to the tip of
the tail; the greater wing-coverts are tipped with white; a
white base to the secondary feathers, and white shaft to the
spurious wing; the two outer tail-feathers are white; the fore-
head, and a broad streak over the eyes, white; the space be-
tween the beak and eye black, which colour extends below the
eyes as far as the ear-coverts; the chin, cheeks, throat, breast,
belly, vent, and under tail-coverts are pure white; on the
sides of the breast above, and under the carpus of the wing,
is a perfect black patch; the frontal part of the top of the
head is black; the top and back part of the head brown
ochreous-yellow; the eye-lids are white; eyes brown; the
beak and legs are bluish black ; claws black. In the female
the black markings are dusky and more confined.

The young of the year differs by having the crown and
back part of the head yellowish-brown ; the space between
the beak and eyes, and the band below the eyes, and
ear-coverts, yellow-brown ; the colours on the back are paler,
and the patch on the sides of the upper part of the breast
is cinereous pale-brown, surrounded by ochre-yellow.

The egg figured 225 is that of the Kentish Plover.

END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME.

Lonpon :—Printed by S. & J. BenrLEy, Witson, and Fury, Bangor House, Shoe Lane.

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