SANDERLING, 421 



it is usually found, at the edge of the water, in company 

 with the Dunlin, but is not so plentiful. It is also seen 

 at times associated with the smaller Plovers, which it re- 

 sembles in its habits, frequenting the harder parts of the 

 sandy shore, running or flying with equal ease and rapidity. 

 Athough occasionally found in the vicinity of large pieces of 

 fresh water, it is essentially a frequenter of sandy localities, 

 and is seldom to be seen upon those soft muddy flats to 

 which many other Sandpipers are so partial. 



Owing to the absence of the hind-toe this species was 

 formerly placed amongst the Charadriidce, but its right to 

 be classed with the Scolnpacidcc is now generally admitted. 

 It is in fact a Tringa without a hind-toe. 



The Sanderling, on leaving its northern breeding-grounds, 

 arrives on our coasts during the last days of July, or early in 

 August ; and, contrary to the usual rule among the Waders, 

 the early flocks are frequently composed of both old and 

 young birds. Throughout the autumn it is abundant in 

 suitable localities along the greater part of our coasts, but the 

 majority continue their southward course, and comparatively 

 few remain on our northern shores during the winter. By 

 April the return migration commences, and birds in full 

 breeding-plumage may be observed throughout May, and even 

 in June : a female shot by Saxby on the 10th of the latter 

 month containing ova as large as No. 3 shot. There is not, 

 however, the slightest evidence that the bird has ever bred in 

 any part of the British Islands. 



In the Fa)roes the Sanderling appears to be a somewhat 

 rare migrant, but in Iceland it no doubt breeds, for an egg 

 purchased there in 1858 by the late Mr. John Wolley and 

 Professor Newton, resembles authentic eggs from other 

 localities. According to Holboll, the bird was observed by 

 Graali on the east coast of Greenland, but it is not mentioned 

 in his list. The German North-Polar Expedition under 

 Capt. Koldewey, however, obtained ten of its eggs on Sabine 

 Island on the east coast, and on the western side yoUng have 

 been taken atGodthaab. Dr.]3essels, of the 'Polaris,' obtained 

 nestlings in 81° 38' N. lat. ; and Major Feilden, naturalist 



