Part 47

This is an American species, breeding in Arctic regions and migrating in winter along the whole of the Atlantic sea-board of America. About a dozen examples have been procured in England and one in Ireland.

In appearance it is like a small Dunlin, but may be recognised by its smaller size, shorter bill, and white upper tail coverts. Length 7·25 in.; bill 0·9 in.; wing 4·75 in.

THE DUNLIN Tringa alpina, Linnæus

Of all our shore-birds the Dunlin, or, as it is sometimes called, the Ox-bird, is the most numerous. At all times of the year and round all our coasts it may be seen running about and feeding on the animal life to be found among the rocks or in the soft muddy ooze recently left by the ebbing tide. It is almost always found in flocks, which are often made up of thousands of individuals, and when disturbed from one place they may be seen twisting and turning on the wing in graceful flight, preparatory to settling again on some rich feeding-ground. At times it is most absurdly tame, so that it is possible to walk right among a flock, which will continue feeding or resting as though unaware of the presence of a stranger. Suddenly an individual will sound the little alarm-note, and the whole flock will rise as though governed by one mind, even those who were asleep flying off in full possession of their faculties as though they had been on the alert all the time. In summer many leave us to nest in Northern Europe, while others betake themselves to inland moors or salt marshes round the coast on which to breed. It cannot be called a common nesting species with us, but it has been found in suitable places throughout the United Kingdom, becoming more numerous in the north.

The nest is a shallow "scrape" among heather, rough grass, or some other cover, and during the nesting season the male has a pretty little trill, which is generally uttered on the wing as he flies over the nest.

The eggs are greenish white, spotted and blotched with reddish brown. The young when first hatched are covered with reddish down, mottled with black and white.

In its winter dress the adult Dunlin is grey above and white below with a whitish bar across the extended wing. In spring the crown of the head is rufous, streaked with black. Mantle black, with broad rufous margins; the neck and throat white, streaked with black, breast black; belly white. The sexes are alike, the female being usually slightly the larger. Length about 7·5 in; bill 1·7 in.; wing 4·5 in. This species, however, varies greatly in size.

The young in autumn have the back nearly black, the feathers having narrow buff and rufous margins; the under parts are white, buff across the breast, and thickly spotted, especially on the lower breast, with black. The amount of spotting, however, as well as the colour of the breast, varies greatly in individuals.

THE SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER Tringa pusilla, Linnæus

A single example, the first to be recorded in Europe, of this American species, was shot in Kent on the 17th September 1907. In general appearance it resembles a Little Stint, but is rather paler and more sandy in colour, and may easily be recognised by its longer bill and partially webbed toes. Length 5·6 in.; bill 0·85 in.; wing 3·7 in.

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER Tringa bardi (Coues)

This is an American species, and has recently been twice obtained in England.

In winter it closely resembles a Dunlin in general appearance, but is slightly streaked on the back. Its summer plumage is quite distinct. Length about 8 in.; wing 4·7 in.

THE LITTLE STINT Tringa minuta, Leisler

This, the smallest of our shore-birds, is not a very common species. It occurs yearly on the autumn migration, along our eastern and southern coasts, but on the west it is very irregular in its appearance and decidedly rare. Its breeding-grounds are the tundras of Northern Europe, though it is decidedly scarce as a breeding species in the north-west; it winters in the tropical regions of the Old World.

In its habits and food it closely resembles the Dunlin, but its much smaller size enables it to be easily recognised.

In plumage it is practically a miniature Dunlin, but it lacks the black on the breast, which in the breeding plumage has a reddish tinge. Length 6 in.; bill 0·7 in.; wing 3·55 in.

THE AMERICAN STINT Tringa minutilla, Vieillot

This species has occurred in this country on two or three occasions. It is practically the counterpart of our species and can only be distinguished by its rather smaller size and darker colour. Length 5·25 in.; wing 3·5 in.

TEMMINCK'S STINT Tringa temmincki, Leisler

Although nesting much nearer to our shores than the Little Stint, this species is a very rare and irregular visitor to this country. It breeds commonly in Norway as far south as Trondhjem and eastwards across Russia beyond the limit of tree growth. In winter it migrates eastwards as far as India.

In appearance it is not unlike a very small Common Sandpiper, whereas the Little Stint resembles a small Dunlin. It may, however, be further recognised by the shaft of the outer primary being nearly white, and the two outer tail feathers being quite white. Length 5·75 in.; bill 0·6 in.; wing 3·8 in.

THE CURLEW SANDPIPER Tringa subarquata (Güldenstädt)

This bird arrives on our shores from the middle of August onwards, leaving us again in October, and a few are met with on the return journey in May. Although by no means as numerous as many other shore-frequenting migrants, it is not uncommon on certain parts of the coast, especially on the east and south, but is much rarer in the west. It may be recognised by its white rump and by the partially decurved bill, to which it owes its trivial name.

There is nothing to specially distinguish it in habits from the other species of Waders, and it will generally be found associating with Dunlins.

The breeding-grounds are in Arctic Siberia east of the Yenesei, and it winters in the tropical regions of the Old World.

In autumn the adult is brownish grey on the upper parts, white on the rump and under parts. The young birds may be recognised by the light margins to the feathers of the back and a buffish tint on the chest. In the spring plumage the upper parts are chestnut, streaked with black and grey. The under parts are chestnut, sometimes barred or spotted with brown, the feathers having white margins. Length 8 in.; bill 1·4 in.; wing 5·1 in.

THE PURPLE SANDPIPER Tringa striata, Linnæus