584 DUNLIN. 



two races : a large and northern one of duller tints, and a smaller 

 brighter bird to which Brehm applied the name T. schinzi. North 

 American individuals are characterized, as a rule, by their larger 

 size, longer bills, and more rufous summer-plumage, but in sketch- 

 ing the geographical distribution I consider these as merely forms 

 of one species. With this proviso, it may be said that the Dunlin 

 ranges in summer to East Greenland, Spitsbergen, Iceland, the 

 Faeroes, Scandinavia, Kolguev, South Novaya Zemlya, and the 

 tundras of Russia. Southward, it nests in Holland (locally), Den- 

 mark, and along the coast of Northern Germany ; while, according 

 to Prof. Giglioli, it breeds in the marshes of Venetia in North 

 Italy ; and Mr. Abel Chapman shot a bird from its eggs in the 

 extreme south of Spain. During the colder months of the year the 

 Dunlin is met with on all the sea-shores and many of the inland 

 waters of Europe, as well as in the Canaries ; and in Africa it 

 migrates down the east side as far as Zanzibar. In summer it 

 inhabits the greater part of Siberia, while it winters in China and 

 many districts of the Indian region. In America it nests in the 

 north, descending on the Pacific littoral to California and on the 

 Atlantic to the West Indies ; it is also found in Greenland. 



Early in May on the salt-marshes — though somewhat later on the 

 fells — the Dunlin forms a slight nest, which is often in a tussock 

 of coarse grass, or among sea-pinks, short heather &:c. ; the eggs, 

 4 in number, are greenish-white, blotched and spotted with two 

 shades of reddish-brown : measurements i"35 by "95 in. During the 

 pairing-season the birds soar to a moderate height, uttering a some- 

 what prolonged dwee ; but in autumn, when in flocks, a distinct purre 

 may be heard. From this the species derives one of its local 

 names, while it is also called " Stint," " Ox-bird " and " Sea-snipe." 

 The food consists of worms, small crustaceans, and marine insects. 



The adult in spring (represented in the foreground) has the crown 

 of the head rufous, streaked with black; mantle chestnut, variegated 

 with black ; rest of the upper plumage chiefly ash-grey ; throat and 

 upper breast greyish-white with dark stripes ; lower breast black ; 

 belly white. As a rule the females are larger and have longer bills 

 than the males. Average length 7*5 in. (bill i'25), wing 4*5 in. 

 In the young the feathers of the head and back have large black 

 centres and rufous margins; the chin is white; the upper breast 

 tawny-buff, with dark streaks which enlarge to spots on the lower 

 breast and flanks ; belly nearly white. In winter the adult is 

 chiefly ash-colour above, with a distinct white alar bar, and the 

 under parts are white, with a mottled greyish band on the lower neck. 



