THE DUNLIN 291 



Considering that the Dunhn and the Common Snipe 

 approach each other so nearly in size — tk2 whole length 

 of a Snipe is about 10| inches, whereas that of the Dunlin 

 is 8 inches — it is surprising how much smaller are the eggs 

 of the latter bird. 



The nesting hollow is also much more rudimentary, 

 and I doubt whether Dunlin are partial to the boggy 

 ground so much sought after by Snipe. They take their 

 young after they have been hatched to such ground, it 

 is true, but as a nesting site I am inclined to think they 

 prefer a dry hillside with a lochan near, and make their 

 nests in the short hill grass that affords them a certain 

 amount of cover. 



The Dunlin is essentially a northern bird in its nesting. 

 Outside this country it breeds in the Faroes, and is also 

 found in Iceland, though it does not, I believe, remain 

 on that island through the winter months. It is believed 

 to breed in Greenland. Throughout Norway it is plentiful, 

 nesting beyond the Arctic Circle. In Russia and Lapland 

 it is abundant, its range extending as far as Novaya 

 Zemlya. It also nests in Denmark and in the northern 

 districts of Germany. A very few are said to nest as far 

 south as Spain and Italy. 



During the autumn and winter months the Dunlin, in 

 its migration, spreads far over many countries. It is found 

 in Africa and Egypt, frequenting the course of the Nile. 

 It extends its range to the Red Sea, India, and Japan. 

 In Eastern Asia and Northern America it is replaced by 

 an allied race. On Cheviot (2700 feet above sea-level), 

 on the borders of England and Scotland, several pairs of 

 Dunlin usually nest. I have only once — in early July — 

 visited the wild plateau which serves as a nesting-ground, 

 and although I saw several birds feeding by the tarns on 

 the hill-top, they did not, from their careless behaviour, 

 appear to possess broods. After the season of their nesting 



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