A HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 51, 52). Does not breed in this country, but I have found the nest in Norway and Russian Lapland. 172. Common Snipe. Gallinago caelestis (Frenzel). A regular autumn and spring visitor, not it seems in as great numbers as formerly, owing to many of its old breeding grounds being reduced to cultivation. It breeds occasionally by the Nene, in quiet spots, laying early in April. 1 73. Jack Snipe. Gallinago gallinula (Linn.). A not uncommon winter visitor, frequent- ing similar ground to the last bird, appearing in October. Has never been ascertained to breed in Britain. 174. Dunlin. Tringa alpina, Linn. An occasional visitor in autumn and spring. Very common on the coasts, breeding on fells in north and south-west Britain. 175. Little Stint. Tringa minuta, Leisler. Lord Lilford had several occurrences re- ported to him, but apparently he never saw a county specimen, nor have 1. 176. Curlew-Sandpiper. Tringa subarquata (Guldenstadt). A very rare wanderer to Northants in au- tumn. The late Mr. George Hunt shot one at Pilton, September 9th, 1887, and one was more recently shot at Naseby reservoir {Northants Nat. Hist. Soc. Journ., 1899). Both were immature. 177. Knot. Tringa canutus, hinn. A very abundant autumn and spring migrant on our coasts, which has thrice wandered to our county and been recognized. 178. RufF (? Reeve). Machetes pugnax (Linn.). Formerly abundant and breeding in the fens, including Whittlesea Mere ; now a scarce occasional visitor. Only four recent occurrences are mentioned by Lord Lilford (ii. 78, 79), to which I am able to add a young male obtained by me at Ditchford, near Irchester, on September 22nd, 1890. 179. Common Sandpiper. Totanus hypoleucus (Linn.). This bird, also called the 'summer snipe,' is a migrant, passing through the county in small numbers in April, and returning in early autumn. Has been frequently reported as breeding at Ravensthorpe reservoir, near Northampton ; it is much to be regretted that the nest (which is not a difficult one to find) has not been looked up in the interests of the Northampton Museum. 180. Wood - Sandpiper. Totanus glareola (Gmelin). Much rarer than the last, but occurring under the same circumstances. Several re- corded occurrences {Lilford^ ii. 90). 181. Green Sandpiper. Totanus ochropus (Linn.). A regular visitor in small numbers on migration in early autumn and spring, fre- quenting brooks as well as main rivers. Easily recognized by the conspicuous white patch over the tail and the loud double scream on rising. 182. Common Redshank. Totanus calidris (Linn.). An autumn and spring migrant, not very uncommon. A few pairs breed here and there in rough water-meadows. See Lilford in loc. and Nat. Hist. Soc. Journ.y vol. x. 16. 183. Spotted or Dusky Redshank. Totanus fuscus (Linn.). A rare autumn and spring visitor, some- what difficult to distinguish in winter dress from the foregoing at anything but a very short distance. Has been once shot in Northants, at Canon's Ashby, August 28th, i! 184. Greenshank. Totanus canescem (fjTa^Xxn). A rare visitor in autumn and spring, which has been a good many times recorded as being seen in the county, but on one occasion only obtained (as far as I can gather) — at Whilton, in December, 1885. 185. Bar-tailed Godwit. Limosa lapponica (Linn.). A scarce occasional visitor from autumn to spring ; the one I saw at Mr. Field's in Kettering in December, 1885, shot near there, remains the only record hitherto. But the Waders, which resemble one another so closely, and have so many changes of plumage, want a great deal more attention from North- amptonshire observers than they have ever yet had, except near Lilford. 186. Curlew. N umenius arquata i^xnn!). Also a passing migrant, seldom touching ground in Northants. I have several times heard them passing over at night, my atten- tion being attracted to them by their call. Two or three have been obtained in the county, which would probably be tired birds 126
