390 Mr. W. C. iuit on the Birds of Portayal. 



230. Tringa alpina, Linn. " Majarico/^ a name of gene- 

 ral application for Sandpipers^ Curlews, and allied birds. 



The Dunlin sometimes arrives as early as the beginning of 

 August, while the weather is still hot and some have not yet 

 moulted the summer plumage. Its migration is carried on 

 chiefly at night. Large flocks may be heard calling as they 

 pass southwards at the end of August and during September, 

 when they are very abundant on the sand-banks of the mouth 

 of the Douro. Many winter here, returning north in Feb- 

 ruary, and some few remain here through the summer; but I 

 have never met with their nests, and am inclined to believe 

 that these laggers are unpaired birds, as with Curlews and 

 other Waders. 



231. Tringa minuta, Leisl. 



Of the Little Stint the Coimbra Museum possesses a spe- 

 cimen and I have another. 



232. Tringa subarcuata (GUld.). 



The Curlew Sandpiper is not very common along this coast ; 

 I have a specimen obtained at the mouth of the Douro, where 

 I have seen others. 



233. Tringa striata, Linn. 



Rather rare. The Purple Sandpipers which I have seen 

 were shot near Oporto during the mouths of November and 

 December. 



234. Tringa canutus, Linn. 



The Knot is a common winter visitant, some arriving by 

 the end of August, but the main body appears during October, 

 in which month they are more numerous than in winter, so 

 it is to be surmised that many move further south for their 

 winter-quarters. On the 5tli of June, 1884, I shot near the 

 entrance to Faro harbour, in the extreme south of Portugal, 

 a Knot with the ruddy breast of summer plumage out of 

 a flock of thirteen similar birds, and on the following day 

 I saw another flock, also in summer dress. When Knots 

 arrive from the north they have usually put on their grey 

 winter plumage, yet I have seen some as late as the 10th of 

 October with remains of the summer garb still on them. 



