DUNLIN. 143 



names ; '' Stint " is common in Yorkshire, where it is also 

 the '^ Sand-runner"; "Sand-lark," "Ox-bird," and "Purre" 

 (from its note) are used in other parts. In many of its move- 

 ments the Dunhn is dehberate and sedate, but it can run 

 quickly, its short black legs twinkling, especially when chasing 

 sandhoppers on the recently covered banks. At low water it 

 wades in the shallow pools, its body low, its head forward, and 

 shoulders hunched, as it probes the mud ; it will swim a deep 

 pool. It is never so energetic as the Sanderling or Ringed 

 Plover, its constant companions. When feeding it does not 

 pack so closely as the Knot, and often the birds scatter far and 

 wide over the banks and saltings. It is less nervous than the 

 Ringed Plover, often running rather than taking wing. 



Flocks when feeding keep up a low twittering chorus, but 

 the alarm note and flight call is a rather long pitrre; it is 

 quick on the wing, swerving and rolling rather than zigzagging, 

 and the pale outer feathers of the tail show clearly in contrast 

 to the central pair as it flies from the watcher. Its greatest 

 aerial skilly however, is shown by its ordered manoeuvres in 

 large flocks. The whole body will swing out over the water, 

 skim the waves, rise until like a cloud they show against the 

 sky, then suddenly rain down, flashing like silvery drops if the 

 sun be shining. A rapidly moving flock at a distance flickers, 

 now visible, now invisible, as white breast or dark back turn 

 towards the observer, for every bird turns at the same moment. 

 At times the flock thins out into a line stretching across the' 

 field of vision, and undulating in regular waves ; then it will 

 bunch, and without disorder every individual, moved by some 

 strange social impulse, dives, swerves, or sharply changes 

 direction at the required moment. The speed of the flying 

 Dunlin is always great, and at night coastwise wires cause 

 numerous fatalities. The rushing sound caused by the wings of 

 a large party resembles escaping steam, and even two or three 

 birds hurtling past produce a remarkable rustle. When the 



