252 PR^COCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOL^. 



Temminck states that tlie Sanderling is abundant in spring and autumn on the 

 coast of Holland, and that it is found on the shores of France and Italy, occurring 

 occasionally at Nice and Genoa in every stage of plumage ; and also in the inte- 

 rior, on the shores of the Black Sea, etc. Dr. Middendorff includes it in his List 

 of the Birds of Siberia, among those that go to the extreme north, and Herr von 

 Heuglin met Avith flocks of this species in September on Waigat Island, Nova Zembla, 

 mingled with flocks of Tringa aljiina. 



Eeinhardt includes the Sanderling among the birds of Greenland, Avhere he found 

 it rare, and breeding on Disco Island. Colonel Sabine, in the Appendix to Parry's 

 "First Voyage," mentions its breeding in considerable numbers on the North Georgian 

 Islands, where several pairs were killed at different periods of the breeding-season. 

 Eichardson states that it breeds on the coast of Hudson's Bay as far south as the 

 55th parallel. Hutchins is quoted as stating that it makes nests of dry grasses in 

 the marshes, and as describing the egg as having a dusky -colored ground spotted with 

 black, incubation commencing in the middle of June. Professor Xewton speaks of 

 this species as rare in Greenland, and as said not to breed farther south than latitude 

 68° jST. ; but its young have been taken at Godthaab. It was found on the east coast 

 by Graah, and by the German Expedition on Sabine Island. It is also said to have 

 been found breeding in considerable numbers on the Parry Islands. 



]\Ir. Salvin found the Sanderling in considerable numbers on the Pacific coast 

 of Guatemala, and occasionally very abundant ; he also met with a few among the 

 bays on the coast of Honduras late in April. Mr. Edward Newton procured a single 

 individual at St. Croix, Sept. 13, 1858. Leotaud includes the Sanderling among the 

 birds of Trinidad, but states that it is only a rare migratory visitant, occurring in 

 small numbers, and only found from August to October. It always stays about the 

 borders of the sea, running over and carefully searching the wet sand and mud for 

 small worms. Mr. Gould states that it is plentiful in Brazil, from whence he has 

 received specimens ; and Mr. H. Durnford mentions procuring two out of a flock at 

 Tombo Point, on the coast of Central Patagonia. 



The Sanderling passes south along the coast of Massachusetts from the middle of 

 August to the latter part of September, and returns northward in the latter part 

 of May. It reaches Lake Koskonong, Wisconsin, about August 15, and in some 

 seasons is very abundant there. Professor Snow obtained specimens in Kansas in 

 September. It is very common in the spring and fall near Calais, Me. Giraud has 

 never observed it in very large numbers in the spring on the shores of Long Island ; 

 but, on its return, it arrives in flocks about the middle of August, and by the 1st 

 of September has become very abundant. It generally prefers the more immediate 

 borders of the ocean, but is often seen occupying, with other small Sandpipers, the 

 shoals and mud-flats in the shallow parts of estuaries. It seems to be eminently 

 sociable, searching for food in company, probing the sand for small bivalve shells and 

 marine worms, or attending the retiring waves in search of shrimps. It is very inter- 

 esting to watch its active movements as it feeds along the shore, alternately advancing 

 or retreating with the flow of the water. It is naturally very unwary, and is even 

 less suspicious than the rest of the family of Tringcv. When a flock is fired into, 

 the survivors rise with a low Avhistling note, perform a few evolutions, and presently 

 resume their feeding with undiminished confidence. If wounded, it takes to the 

 water, and swims well. Later in the season it becomes very fat, and is excellent 

 eating. 



It is very abundant on the shores of the Southern Atlantic States, except during 

 three or four summer months. The greater number of these birds pass north early 



