176 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



106 [243a] Pelidna alpina sakhalina (Vieill.). 

 American Dunlin; Red-backed Sandpiper; "Brant-bird." 



Rare spring and common autumn transient visitor; May 20 (June 18); 

 September i to November i. 



I have only twice seen this bird in the spring, a single one each time : 

 once in May, 1895, and again on May 20th, 1904. Mr. Maynard^ found several 

 at Ipswich on June i8th, 1868 ; they showed no signs of breeding and were, 

 he thought, the young of the preceding year. 



The American Dunlin is a late autumn migrant but after the middle of Sep- 

 tember it is, at times, fairly common in small flocks, chiefly on the sandy beaches, 

 less often in the marshes. Dr. Phillips shot one among a flock of White-rumped 

 Sandpipers at Wenham Lake, on October 14th, 1904. They are, as a rule, 

 very unsuspicious and can be watched at close range. In feeding they frequently 

 plunge the bill, slightly open, to its base in the soft sand or mud, appear to work 

 it about, and when successful draw forth an amphipod or a worm. Several times 

 on one occasion I saw one draw a worm to the water close at hand as if to wash 

 it, before swallowing it. On another occasion a couple of Dunlins were so 

 tame that it was possible to approach within five feet of them. They were dili- 

 gently probing in the sandy mud, wading in water up to their bellies. At this 

 depth it was necessary for them to immerse their heads entirely, and I could 

 see them shut their eyes as they went under water. Whether the eyes were 

 afterwards opened or not I am unable to say. When disturbed they flew but a 

 short way, and if they happened to alight in water too deep for their legs, they 

 swam readily as do all shore birds. 



When disturbed, the Dunlin utters a short kuk. Their call note is dis- 

 tinctive, and resembles somewhat the word pitrre, by which name the European 

 species is called. The note is plaintive and sometimes melodious, and recalls, 

 without its harshness, the cry of the Common Tern. 



The American Dunlin is about the size of a Sanderling and its long, slightly 

 decurved bill is distinctive. In the spring, the black belly, streaked breast, and 

 rich, chestnut-brown back make it a marked bird. In the autumn only a few of 

 the chestnut feathers remain in the mouse-colored backs. The broad grayish 

 band across the lower neck and breast is noticeable, and also in flight the white 

 line on the wing. 



• C. J. Maynard: The Naturalist's Guide, p. 140, 1870. 



