TOTANUS STAGNATILIS.
Marsh Sandpiper.

Totanus stagnatilis, Temm. Man. d’Orn., tom. iv. p- 414.—Gould, Birds of Europe, vol. iv. leslie

 

I sor a specimen of this bird on the banks of the Lower Mokai on the 16th of December 1839: on com-
paring it with Indian and European specimens, I find the whole to be identical ; the Australian bird is however
somewhat lighter in colour. The individual above-mentioned was feeding on the bank close to the water’s
edge: from its being the only one I had ever seen alive, I was more desirous of procuring it than of watching
its actions, and as no Opportunity afterwards occurred of my so doing, I am unable to give any particulars
respecting them.

Face, fore-part of the neck and all the under surface white.

Crown of the bead and neck grey, streaked longitudinally with black ; upper surface grey, each feather
with a lighter margin ; wings blackish brown; tail white, marked with diagonal bars of brown; forehead,
rump and all the under surface white; bill dark greenish olive, tipped with brown ; legs sickly olive-yellow ;
irides blackish brown.

The bird is figured of the natural size.