Wood-Sandpiper.
Tringa glareola, Linn. Faun. Süec., p. 66.
littorea, Linn. ibid., p. 66.
■ ochropus, var., Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 250.
grallatoris, Mont. Om. Diet., Append.
Totanus glareola, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 1815, p. 421.
sylvestris, Brehm, Vög. Deutschi., p. 638.
• palustris, Brehm, ibid., p. 639.
grallatoris, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xii. p. 148.
Rhyacophilus glareola, Kaup, Natürl. Syst., p. 140.
T h e trivial name o f » « .S a n d p ip e r , assigned to this species, is certainly a misnomer ; for it rather shims the
forest than otherwise. Its province is the marsh, the peat-bog, the swampy meadow, and the wet upland
c a rr s ; its companions are the Mole-Crieket, the Copper- and Swallow-tailed Butterflies, the Bittern, and the
Large H arrier. I t dwells with the beautiful buck-bean (MenyaMlies trifolmta) and the flowering rush (Butomm
u M h lm ) ; with all these it is associated. The pestiferous wastes are neither detrimental to its health
nor deterrent o f 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 overhead, uttering querulous cries, if its breeding-grounds are being intruded upo n : such a t least
were the actions o f those I observed on the g reat dreary waste of the Dovrefjeld, in N orway; and, with certain
modifications, these actions, as well as the situations in which it was seen, answer to Mr Hoy’s vivid
description o f the bird and its habits, as noted b , him in Dutch Brabant during the months o f summer. It
cannot be said that the Wood-Sandpiper is very common anywhere; yet it is sufliciently numerous in many
places to admit o f the naturalist satisfying his desire of seeing it in a state of nature, if he will seek for it
in any o f its homes at the proper season. In England it has not only been killed o r observed in every
county, but we have indubitable evidence o f 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 o f the justly celebrated
Bewick. In Ireland it is stated to be less abundant than in England—an assertion due, I think, to the
circumstance o f there being fewer collectors and observers of birds in that country than in our island. In
other parts o f Europe, from Lapland to the M editerranean, 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 o f life
Out o f Europe it also enjoys a wide range of hab itat; for it is found all over India, Amoorland, Japan, China,
Malasia and the great islands o f Java and Sumatra, to which may probably be added the few flnviatile portioim
o f 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 Totanus 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 o f the Eggs o f 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 o f flying a short distance
on the 11th o f June. I regret that I did not discover the bird till late in the season.
“ A great portion o f Dutch Brabant, more particularly the southern and eastern parts, is covered by
large tracts o f heath, the soil being o f a light, sandy nature. A great number o f peat-bogs and shallow pools
o f water are distributed over this district. Most o f 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 o f 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.
“ I f 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. I f you have observed the
actions and raanmmTes o f the Bedshank 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 i t ; yet many pairs
are dispersed over these districts, where they have long been known to breed. Although I met with the