SCOLOPACID.E. Too 



of the year. About the beginning of September, 

 their numbers rapidly increase, being reinforced 

 by parties arriving from their summer quarters 

 in the North, on their way to the South of 

 Europe. They are, generally speaking, more 

 abundant on our shores at this time than at any 

 other, although many of course remain with us 

 during the winter, when they may be found at 

 Pagham, Shoreham, Newhaven, and in similar 

 localities. Godwits then appear in their plain 

 grey garb, and are all equally wary and gun-shy 

 from repeated persecution ; but about the latter 

 end of March, fresh detachments begin to arrive, 

 the males presenting the gay ferruginous nuptial 

 attire, for like all spring visitors from the conti- 

 nent — whether land, wading, or swimming birds 

 — they are much farther advanced towards the 

 plumage peculiar to the breeding-season than 

 those which have sojourned here during the 

 winter. The dunlins, which arrive at the same 

 time, have the black breast fully developed. 

 The curlew sandpiper — or pigmy curlew — now 

 suddenly appears in his beautiful summer dress, 

 and the same remark applies to many congene- 

 rous birds. 



The practical observer or collector should not 

 fail to look out carefully for good specimens dur- 

 ing this brief but golden period. However regu- 



