222 The Irish Naturalist. October, 



During the time that elapses from their disappearance at the 

 spring migration until their re-appearance on our shores in 

 autumn, authenticated occurrences of the Sanderling in July 

 have been excessively rare, and it has been impossible to 

 procure the specimensso necessary and valuable to science for 

 examination and comparison. 



It ^vill be seen that during this period these non-breeders 

 undergo a considerable change ; they have been found with the 

 red colouring entirely absent, and also the soft grey margins 

 of the feathers, which conceal the nuptial plumage in spring, 

 completely worn awa}^ and in some instances the rudd}^ 

 colouration faded out, causing the birds to present a totally 

 changed and misleading appearance. 



I had an opportunit}^ of closely searching the sands of 

 Youghal, county Cork, for Sanderling whilst staying there in 

 July of the present year, rnd on the i6th was fortunate to 

 meet with a flock of 30 birds. I saw them again on July 20th, 

 and also on the 24th, when two specimens were obtained, 

 male and female. They differ from the Dublin Bay birds, 

 showing more red on the necks, and one is almost a uniform 

 dark brown on the back, exhibiting little trace of edge mark- 

 ings. There is a marked contrast in weight, one being under 

 and one just over two ounces, and little fat was apparent. 

 Prof Patten has kindly made a microscopic examination, and 

 is of opinion that, like the Dublin Bay birds, they had never 

 bred. Punctual to a da}^, the Sanderling this year, old and 

 young, have arrived from their northern summer haunts. 

 On A^ugust 7th I had the pleasure of closely watching a large 

 flock on the shore between Laytown and Drogheda. The 

 3'Oung birds of the year were most numerous and most active, 

 With a strong glass I could see they were pursuing flies 

 abounding in the hot sun on the tidal fringe, with all the 

 quickness and agility of Wagtails, picking them up right, 

 left, and in front, and often doubling back with lightning 

 rapidity. 



DiibHu. 



