SCOLOPACID. 419 
much like those of the Common Snipe, but the 
ground colour rather browner. They are about the 
same shape, but of course smaller. 
CurLEW Sanppiper, T'ringa subarquata. The 
Curlew Sandpiper, or “ Pigmy Curlew,” as it is 
frequently called, has received the name “ Curlew” 
from some slight resemblance to that bird, espe- 
cially in the downward curve of the beak. It is not 
very common in our county, but occurs occasionally 
on our coast, generally in the winter; its occurrence 
may be, and probably is, more frequent than is 
generally supposed, as it is sometimes shot with the 
flocks of Purres and mistaken for those birds, which 
it somewhat resembles, especially in its winter 
plumage: it is, however, taller and more elegantly 
shaped. It may generally be considered a winter 
visitor to this country, although Yarrell mentions 
the occurrence of a few specimens during the 
summer months and in perfect summer plumage, 
from which he supposes, and probably rightly, that 
it occasionally breeds in England. I can, however, 
find no account of the nest. 
As well as in appearance, this bird resembles the 
Purre, or Dunlin, in food and habits, its food con- 
sisting principally of insects, such as sand-hoppers, 
small Crustacez, shrimps and worms. Mr. Harting 
says the stomach of one he examined was filled with 
the remains of small worms, Coleopterous insects 
and a few minute pebbles. 
