COMMON SANDERLING. 239 



feathers of the upper part of the head are black, margined 

 with light red and white ; the cheeks, neck, fore part of the 

 breast and sides greyish-red, streaked with black ; the rest 

 of the lower parts white. The feathers of the back and the 

 scapulars are black in the centre, light red toward the edges, 

 which are white, the larger spotted with red ; the tail-feathers 

 grey, excepting the two middle, which are black, margined 

 with light red. The wing-coverts are brownish-black, bor- 

 dered, and the inner marginally spotted with light red ; the 

 quills and large coverts as in winter. 



Female in Summer. — Similar to the male. 



Habits. — The Sanderlings appear in small flocks on our 

 northern coasts, on both sides of the island, as early as 

 the beginning of September. Their numbers gradually in- 

 crease, until in winter, when they are met with in all parts ; 

 they collect into large bands, which frequent the sandy shores 

 and muddy estuaries, often mingling with various species of 

 Tringa, but especially with the Dunlins. In searching for 

 their food, which consists of small worms, testacea, and some- 

 times insects, they run with rapidity when following the 

 margin of the wave, but more sedately in other circumstances, 

 patting and probing the soft sand or mud with their bills, 

 which they seldom introduce to any depth. It is pleasant to 

 watch a flock so occupied, the liveliness of the little creatures, 

 and their clean and beautiful plumage, together with the 

 mutual goodwill and forbearance which they exhibit, render- 

 ing them most agreeable companions. When alarmed, they 

 fly off in a body, uttering occasionally a shrill cry, move with 

 great rapidity, iioav all inclining to one side, now to the other, 

 and performing various evolutions. In sunshine they may 

 be perceived at a very great distance by the glancing of their 

 white under parts. At first they are not shy, and may easily 

 be approached ; but after being molested, they become rather 

 vigilant. At high water they repose on the sands or in their 

 neighbourhood, sometimes by themselves, but often in com- 

 pany with Dunlins and Ringed Plovers. Like these species 

 they also feed by moonlight. Individuals are sometimes seen 



