378 scoLOPAfiB.T;. 



the new broods come down from tlieir summer abodes and 

 are joined by the parent birds, immense flocks of Dunlins 

 may be seen busily employed close to the edge of the sea, 

 searching and probing for the minute animals upon which 

 they feed. Frequenting sandy flats and bars that project 

 into the sea, they are observed to be incessantly upon the 

 move, shifting their ground perpetually, running nimbly 

 along, or taking short flights from place to place, frequently 

 wading to follow the aquatic insects, worms, mollusca, and 

 the smaller thin-skinned Crustacea which are put in motion 

 by every receding wave. If disturbed, the whole flock take 

 wing together, and wheeling along in half circles near the 

 edge or the surface of the water, each bird exhibits alter- 

 nately a dark or light appearance to the observer, as the 

 upper or under side of its body happens to be turned 

 towards him. 



During winter many are shot for the table, on various 

 parts of the coast, and are considered to be tolerably good 

 eating. On the Wash in winter considerable numbers of 

 this and other species are taken on dark nights in nets 

 stretched on poles about high-water mark. In the autumn 

 of 1836 a few were sent to the London market from 

 Lincolnshire, where they had been fatted in confinement 

 with some Paiffs. Those small birds, from abundance of 

 nutritious food, had increased beyond their usual size, being 

 very fat, delicately white in colour, and by the party for 

 whom they were purchased, and by whom the birds were 

 eaten, were said to be of excellent flavour. The trail 

 sliould be removed as soon as possible, to obviate the bitter 

 flavour communicated by the gall-bladder. In the House- 

 hold Books of the L'Estrange family, and of the Dukes of 

 Northumberland, " Styntes " seem to have varied from a 

 dozen to six for a penny, but seveml of the smaller species 

 were comprised under this name. 



Before going further, it may be well to state that the 

 Dunlin is sul)jcct to considerable variation in size, length 

 of bill, and colour. Professor l^aird considers (B. N. Amer. 

 p. 719) that American birds are specifically distinguished 



