302 CHARADRIIDA# 
CURLEW-SANDPIPER. Zringa subarquata (Giildenstiidt). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. iv, 
pl. 68; Dresser, ‘ Birds of Kurope,’ vol. viii, pl. 558; 
Lilford, ‘ Coloured Figures,’ vol. v, pl. 38. 
Small flocks of Curlew-Sandpipers sojourn for a short 
period on our shores during the spring and autumn migra- 
tion. Like the Little Stint this species is exceedingly rare 
in midwinter and midsummer. Its numbers seem to vary 
annually ; in some districts it 1s decidedly scarce one year 
and almost plentiful the next. The eastern and southern 
‘ coasts of Great Britain are much more frequented than the 
opposite shores. As a visitant to the north of Scotland this 
bird is not constant ; the same may be said of the Orkneys 
and Shetlands. Curlew-Sandpipers touch upon the east and 
north coasts of Ireland probably every year, but in varying 
numbers.’ Specimens have also been recorded from Mayo, 
(Warren), Achill Island (Sheridan), Cork, and other parts of 
Southern Ireland (Ussher). I am not aware of any instance 
from Ireland during the vernal migration, but in England 
this species has been noted as early as March 19th, and 
birds in nuptial plumage passing north, occur along the east 
coast until June (Saunders). 
The Curlew-Sandpiper is one of the most graceful of 
small wading-birds. It resembles a miniature Curlew, 
beautifully proportioned, with long slender legs and beak, 
the latter being gently decurved near its extremity. In 
the autumn? (usually in early September), immature birds, 
generally in small flocks, may be seen probing for food on 
the soft ooze, apart from or in company with other small 
‘waders.’ On the strand this species bears a close resemblance 
to the Dunlin, but may be distinguished by its superior size, 
longer and more slender neck, by the more elegantly arched 
outline of its back, and when flying by its conspicuous 
white upper tail-coverts® (Plate XXVI., fig. C). 
' Though far less abundant than the Dunlin, yet flocks of consider- 
able size may be seen sometimes in autumn. The late Mr. EK. Williams 
has noticed as many as two to three hundred together on the Dublin 
coast, and I have several times seen over one hundred in a flock about 
the same locality. 
* Few remain on our shores after October. 
3 In the early part of the migration-season, I have observed small 
wisps of immature Dunlins squatting on the ooze or grass-flats. In the 
bright summer sunshine the feathers of their backs and wings appear 
