SANDERLINGS. 3 



all directed forward, and almost entirely divided to their base. Wings 

 moderate in size, the first quill the longest. 



The genus of the Sandeiiing contains but a single species, ordina- 

 rily confounded with the Sandpipers, to which they are indeed 

 closely related. These birds are spread nearly throughout the whole 

 globe, over which they travel in the course of their periodical mi- 

 grations. They retire into the colder regions to breed, emigrating 

 usually in small companies, along the borders of the sea, and they 

 often cover the shores with their numerous flocks. They live upon 

 the smallest marine insects, Crustacea, minute shell-fish, and the 

 diminutive coleopterous insects of the shore. As they are only seen 

 accidentally along the borders of rivers, it is to be presumed that their 

 principal food is maritime. They experience a double moult, and 

 the color of their plumage greatly differs in the two seasons ; the 

 sexes, however, are scarcely distinguishable from each other by any 

 external marks, but the young of the year have a livery which dif- 

 fers from that of the adult at any season. 



