TOTANUS GLAREOLA.
Wood-Sandpiper.,

Tringa glareola, Linn. Faun. Suec., p. 65.

littorea Linn. ibid., p. 66.

ochropus, var., Linn, Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 250.

grallatoris, Mont. Orn. Dict., Append.

Totanus glareola, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 1815, p. 421.

sylvestris, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl., p- 638.

—— palustris, Brehm, ibid., p. 639.

grallatoris, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. p. 148.
Rhyacophilus glareola, Kaup, Natiirl. Syst., p. 140.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tue trivial name of Wood-Sandpiper, assigned to this species, is certainly a misnomer ; for it rather shuns the
forest than otherwise. Its province is the marsh, the peat-bog, the swampy meadow, and the wet upland
carrs ; its companions are the Mole-Cricket, the Copper- and Swallow-tailed Butterflies, the Bittern, and the
Large Harrier. It dwells with the beautiful buck-bean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and the flowering rush (Butomus
umbellatus) ; with all these it is associated. The pestiferous wastes are neither detrimental to its health
nor deterrent of its reproduction. In such situations the shrill piping note of the male is uttered while
he is sitting on a stone, a cushion of bog-grass, or any slight elevation ; and now and anon it may be seen
circling overheard, uttering querulous cries, if its breeding-grounds are being intruded upon: such at least
were the actions of those I observed on the great dreary waste of the Dovrefjeld, in Norway ; and, with certain
modifications, these actions, as well as the situations in which it was seen, answer to Mr. Hoy’s vivid
description of the bird and its habits, as noted by him in Dutch Brabant during the months of summer. It
cannot be said that the Wood-Sandpiper is very common anywhere ; yet it is sufficiently numerous in many
places to admit of the naturalist satisfying his desire of seeing it in a state of nature, if he will seek for it
in any of its homes at the proper season. In England it has not only been killed or observed in every
county, but we have indubitable evidence of its breeding with us, Mr. Hancock, of Newcastle, having described
its nest and eggs from an example procured within a few miles of the birthplace of the justly celebrated

 

Bewick. In Ireland it is stated to be less abundant than in England—an assertion due, I think, to the
circumstance of there being fewer collectors and observers of birds in that country than in our island. In
other parts of Europe, from Lapland to the Mediterranean, from Holland to the Volga, it is very generally dis-
persed, but is nowhere abundant, yet is always to be found in situations suited to its peculiar mode of life.
Out of Europe it also enjoys a wide range of habitat; for it is found all over India, Amoorland, Japan, China,
Malasia and the great islands of Java and Sumatra, to which may probably be added the few fluviatile portions
of Africa. I believe it is not found in America, although I may have so stated in my former writings, the
species I mistook for it being the Zotanus solitarius.

The following interesting communication from the late Mr. Hoy to Mr. Hewitson, comprising nearly all
that is known respecting the Wood-Sandpiper, I take the liberty of transcribing from the latter gentleman’s
valuable ‘ Coloured Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds,’ third edition, vol. ii. p. 330.

“This species is migratory, retiring in September and making its appearance early in April. That it
breeds rather early I infer from having met with the young feathered and capable of flying a short distance
on the 11th of June. I regret that I did not discover the bird till late in the season.

‘“A great portion of Dutch Brabant, more particularly the southern and eastern parts, is covered by
large tracts of heath, the soil being of a light, sandy nature. A great number of peat-bogs and shallow pools
of water are distributed over this district. Most of the small streams are skirted by swampy ground, where
the bog-myrtle grows in the greatest luxuriance, with stunted bushes of alder and willow. These situations
are the favourite haunt of the Sandpiper during the breeding-season. While the hen is sitting, the male
flies round in wide circles, and at a considerable elevation. The female sits close, and the nest is most
difficult to find.

“Tf you approach the spot where they have young, and especially if a dog be with you, the old birds fly
round in the most anxious manner, hover over the dog within a few feet, then, suddenly darting off, mount
high into the air and pounce down again with great rapidity on the intruder. If you have observed the
actions and manceuvres of the Redshank during the breeding-season, you will have seen very much the habits
of the Wood-Sandpiper. It is far from being numerous in the localities where I met with it ; yet many pairs

are dispersed over these districts, where they have long been known to breed. Although I met with the