DUNLIN. ofl 
TRINGA VARIABILIS, Meyer and Wolf. 
DUNLIN. 
With the exception of a very short period, during 
the height of the breeding season, the Dunlin, Purre,* 
or Stint (as it is commonly termed in Norfolk), is found 
on our coast in more or less abundance throughout the 
year. As early sometimes as the first week in July, 
young and old together, in family groups, may be met 
with on our shores, in localities also where, later in 
the season, they are but rarely seen; and these, after 
roving awhile over the weed-covered rocks and shingle, 
join the later migratory flocks in their more accustomed 
haunts, such as the mud-flats of Breydon, and the ouzy 
margins of our tidal channels at Blakeney and Lynn. 
Indeed, the entire coast line to the north and west, 
from Cley harbour to the further shores of the Wash, 
backed by a wide range of saltmarshes, affords both 
at high and low water the most favourable conditions 
for this abundant species. From Mr. Dowell’s notes I 
find that in 1848 many flocks had arrived about Blakeney 
Gurney’s bird, has a wing of 5.16in. This species, the oldest 
name of which seems to be T'ringa maculata, Vieillot, is of frequent 
occurrence in most parts of America, and is commonly known 
in the United States as the ‘ Jack-snipe.’” 
* This term, as used by Pennant and other early authors, 
referred to this species in its winter garb, the name of dunlin 
being applied to the same bird in its summer dress until these 
seasonal changes of plumage became better understood. Again, 
Sir Thomas Browne, speaking of the abundance of stints upon 
“the shore and marshes about Stiffkey, Burnham, and other 
parts,” says there is “ Another small bird, somewhat larger than a 
stint, called a churr, and is commonly taken among them.” Churr 
is here, no doubt, used for purre, and the bird mentioned, was 
probably a full-sized dunlin in one of its various stages of 
plumage. 
3B3 
