SANDERLING ol7 
the flight is comparatively straight, so that a passing flock 
will not display the same fantastic aérial patterns as are 
exhibited by many other shore-birds, notably by Dunlins. 
In winter the Sanderling is easily recognised on the wing 
by the general white colour, not only of its under, but also 
of its upper parts. Hence, in sunshine, a flock displays 
a constant brillant or glittering appearance in the air as 
long as the birds are visible, differing from Dunlns, which 
seem almost to disappear for an instant when they turn 
their darker backs. 
Voice.—When unsuspicious of danger, the Sanderling 
is a rather silent little bird. In spring I have heard a gentle 
twitter going on at intervals among the feeding flocks. 
When alarmed a single sharp and shrill note is uttered 
which sounds lke wich, or swink, swink. It may be com- 
pared to a somewhat subdued alarm-note of a Chaffinch. 
Fie, 44.-LEFT FOOT OF SANDERLING. Nat. size. 
f’ood.—In autumn, winter, and spring, the food consists 
of minute shrimps, shell-fish, and worms. In the gizzards 
of several birds I found sand coarser than that usually 
swallowed by the Dunlin. Many minute bivalved shell-fish, 
unbroken, and measuring 4 mm. in their greatest diameter, 
were also present. I have also detected quantities of 
sand-hoppers and nothing else; and in other gizzards the 
remains of small black-beetles in a fine state of division. 
At its breeding-grounds this species has been found 
feeding largely on Saxifraga oppositifolia (Col. Feilden). 
