316 CHARADRIIDA 
wind catching them sideways blows them along the beach, 
often knocking them head over heels, and even whirling 
them on to the fringe of the breakers. Then, only, do they 
fly away to seek “shelter in calmer quarters. Although 
frequently seen by themselves, these birds are sociable, and 
will hunt for food over acres of beach, in the company. of 
other ‘waders,’ especially Ringed Plovers and Turnstones. 
From the latter two species the Sanderling is easily distin- 
euished by the hght ‘pearl’ or ‘french’ grey colour of its 
back and wings, which no other small ‘ wader,’ save the 
Grey Phalarope exhibits. ‘The reddish-brown nuptial dress 
is much less noticeable, and during the spring and summer 
months a Sanderling might easily be mistaken on the shore 
for a Dunlin; the black breast of the latter is, however, a 
most distinguishing mark. Small parties of Sanderlings, 
numbering from four to eight, frequently associate with 
more than double the number of Ringed Plovers and 
Turnstones.' It is easy to pick out the Sanderlings apart 
from the distinction of their characteristic plumage; they 
run much faster and are altogether more active. 
It is most interesting to w vatch the little creatures lightly 
tripping along the water's edge, some halting to indulge in 
the luxury of a splashing and hurried bath, others racing 
into the water and out again, with all speed, to escape a 
drenching from the breaking waves. One or two drop out 
of the ranks in order to secure a shrimp or worm. Away 
they race after their companions for fully thirty yards 
without stopping, as if suddenly propelled by clockwork, 
and now having joined company, the merry party move 
rapidly onward until they can be discerned in the distance 
only as tiny moving specks. 
Immature birds are very tame in autumn; indeed 
throughout winter and spring, unless persistently molested, 
they are not particularly wary.” Dense flocks are not 
common: even when numbers are quietly resting on the 
dry shingle, during high water, they are generally scattered 
fairly wide apart. 
Flight.—This species is swift and strong on the wing; 
fo) 
* A common sight in winter is about forty Ringed-Plovers, a dozen or 
more Turnstones and about half a dozen Sanderlings feeding together 
on the strand. 
* Most of the birds which remain on our coasts during winter are 
immature. 
