134 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



of that of the Dunhn — is sufficient to attract attention when the 

 bird is feeding with other shore waders ; in the hand it is at all 

 times a warmer-tinted bird than Temminck's, and the two outer 

 pairs of tail feathers are brownish grey, whereas in the latter 

 they are white. Passage Stints arrive in August, but early 

 September is the time when most are noticed ; they come in 

 small parties and at first keep rather to themselves, but soon 

 join the mixed congregations on the banks, feeding sociably 

 with Dunlins, Sanderlings, and Curlew Sandpipers. By early 

 October most have passed on, and a November Little Stint is 

 uncommon. Its spring visits are from April to June. Although 

 a typical shore bird, overland journeys are at times taken ; the 

 occurrence inland is not merely due to wandering or storm ; at 

 the beginning of September birds have been observed simul- 

 taneously on reservoirs in Yorkshire and Hertforshire, and at 

 other times by the Cheshire meres and on Lancashire sewage 

 farms ; indeed, the repeated appearance on the sewage farms 

 suggests intentional visits to places where food is abundant. 

 In its behaviour when feeding the Stint is more of a Sanderling 

 than a Dunlin, constantly active, running smartly to pick up 

 insects, worms, and small molluscs, or to chase the sandhoppers 

 and shrimps ; it will swim when the water is too deep for its 

 short legs. At times it will push its bill into the sand to 

 capture a retreating worm, but does not probe for food like 

 the Snipe. It flies swiftly, often outdistancing larger companions, 

 and when small flocks are flying together the aerial performances 

 are skilful— rapid turns, twists, and swerves, when the light 

 under parts flash as every bird at the same instant smartly 

 careens. The triple call, tchik^ tchik, tchik, is sharp and 

 quickly repeated, and birds on the sand have a lower, more 

 twittering note. 



The upper parts of the bird in summer dress are reddish ; the 

 forehead is white, the crown streaked, and a dark line passes 

 from the lores to the eye. The finely speckled breast is rufous, 



