306 CHARADRIIDA 
REFERENCE TO PLATE XXVI. 
(A) Little Stint. Autumn plumage (Immature). 
(B) Dunlin. Nuptial plumage (Mature). 
The bird in this figure belongs to the short and straight-billed form. Its 
head, and that of the Little Stint, are figured, natural size, on Plate XXIV. 
(C) Curlew-Sandpiper. Autumn plumage (Immature). 
(D) Dunlin. Winter plumage (Immature). 
The bird in this figure belongs to the long and slightly decurved-billed 
form. Its head, and that of the Curlew-Sandpiper, are figured, natural size, 
on Plate XX VII. 
PURPLE SANDPIPER. Z7inga striata (Linnzus). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. iv, 
pl. 74; Dresser, ‘ Birds of Europe,’ vol. viii, pl. 504 ; 
Lilford, ‘ Coloured Figures,’ vol. v, pl. 39. 
Every autumn, during September and October, the 
Purple Sandpiper migrates to our shores, many remaining 
until the following spring. It is widely distributed, yet not 
seen in flocks along our coast-lands, but that it is gregarious 
is shown by the fact that ereat numbers assemble together 
in other countries, for instance, in Norway (Collet). Unlike 
most small wading-birds, this hardy species shows a marked 
preference for rocky coasts, often wild and rugged (Plate 
XXVIII). Thus we find it common along the western 
shores of Ireland, even in districts exposed to the full force 
of the Atlantic gales, and, according to several observers, 
this species is more often met with there than elsewhere 
in the British Isles. Adult birds in nuptial plumage have 
been observed, in the middle of June, in many of the Island- 
Groups of Scotland (?.e., Outer Hebrides and Shetlands), 
where they may possibly nest.'. In Ireland, the Purple 
Sandpiper remains until the end of May, and even into 
June. Mr. Ussher mentions birds seen on May 30th, 
which, on examination, proved to be in full nuptial 
plumag xe, with reproductive organs in a ripe condition. I 
have frequently seen this species in nuptial plumage on 
' Specimens examined from Mingulay, in the Outer Hebrides, by 
Mr. Harvie-Brown and Col. Feilden, were far advanced in nuptial garb, 
and two showed bare hatching-spots on the feathers of the breast 
(Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist , 1902-3). 
