DUNLIN 291 
The Dunlin is subject to considerable variation in size, 
length of bill, and shade of plumage. The Arctic-breeding 
species are duller in colour and larger than those that nest 
in more temperate climes. The North American form is 
large and possesses a long beak, while in the nuptial plumage 
the back and scapulars are tipped with light rufous edgings. 
The smaller race, described by Brehm, in 1822, as T. schinzi, 
has usually a short and straight beak. This form breeds on 
the Outer Hebrides, in Tiree, and other parts of West and 
North Scotland, and in many parts of England and Ireland. 
I possess a specimen with a beak barely one inch in length 
and almost perfectly straight (Plate XXIV., fig. 1), I ob- 
tained it from one of the midland counties of Ireland in 
the breeding-season. According to Cordeaux the short- 
billed Dunlin is often tame, and resorts “to the borders of 
the marsh-drains, or to the ‘ fittie-land’ adjoining the 
‘muds,’ in preference to the flats’? (Backhouse, ‘ Zoologist,’ 
1901, p. 91). I have noted several Dunlins distinctly partial 
to salt-water drains about Dublin Bay, and have seen them, 
when disturbed, run along the edge, now and then peeping 
up to see if they were being approached too closely. Such 
birds are usually tame and slow to rise, often eluding obser- 
vation by retracing their steps, or by following the course 
of a tortuous channel. If they rise the flight is short, gener- 
ally to the nearest drain. I have examined many of these 
‘drain Dunlin’ in the flesh and have found both long- and 
short-billed forms among them.’ 
Food.—The Dunlin feeds by day and night. I have 
heard hundreds of very tame birds uttering their gentle 
purring note at dusk in the winter, while pattering over 
the soft ooze, all the while probing in search of food, close 
to where I was standing. They frequently feed in company 
with Stints, Turnstones, and other ‘ waders.’ 
Small shrimps, sand-hoppers, various insects, marine 
worms, and minute shell-fish, form the diet. I have gener- 
ally found fine sand present in the gizzard. 
Voice.—A clear note, often produced when soaring, may 
be heard during the pairing-season. It sounds something 
like dweé-dweé ; but at all seasons when in company, the 
birds purr or chatter to one another, making their presence 
known by their trilling chorus. The several voices uttered 
Ley and in unison nes a subdued chanting, 
1 Vide also ‘ Zoologist,’ 1901, pp. 91, 156, 185, 187. 
