CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 267 



delicate little bird, which, after taking- flio-ht and 

 settling on some stone or boulder of rock on the 

 maro-in of the shore, seems to indulcfe in a lot of 

 ducking and bobbing of the head and working of 

 the tail that is very amusing. This Sandpiper, 

 when disturbed in the breeding-season, utters a 

 little plaintive note like " Wheet, wheet " ; its nest- 

 ing site when on the margin of a loch would be some 

 little distance from the water's edge to allow of any- 

 unusual rise, and would probably be found in a 

 sheltered hollow in a bank or in coarse tufts of Qfrass 

 or rushes. 



The eggs — four in number, are reddish-buff, 

 spotted with brown. There are many varieties in 

 colour, one clutch being hardly ever like another ; 

 and the finding of the nest of this species in a 

 reasonably short space of time — owing to the cute- 

 ness of the parents — can only be accomplished by 

 an egfor-collector who has studied that art, one to 

 which, speaking frankly, I cannot lay claim. 



The Dunlin. 



Order, LiniicolcE. Family, Charadriidce. 



This species, by far the most abundant of the 

 British Sandpipers, is a very interesting little bird. 

 It has the local names of " Purre," " Stint," " Ox- 

 Bird, " and "Sea-Snipe." There are two migrations, 

 one vernal and the other autumnal ; a good many of 

 the adult winter birds remain behind with us to 

 breed in suitable localities, whilst the balance depart 



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