58 DUNLIN. 
They assemble in large flocks, thousands being sometimes 
to be seen at once, before they disperse for the winter into 
small companies; and very pleasant it is to watch them as 
they sweep out over the sea, and then round in again not 
far above the surface, displaying in their winter plumage, a 
light and dark appearance alternately: in taus coursing along 
they all move in a simultaneous manner, as if under the 
guidance of some leader. 
‘he Dunlin is very careful of her nest and its contents, 
and in more than one: instance has been known to suffer 
herself to be taken in the hand sooner than forsake it. 
More commonly, if it be approached, the male, and not 
unfrequently the female also, will fly towards any intruder, 
and alighting near him, use every endeavour, as by pretending 
lameness and disability, to cheat him of a knowledge of its 
situation, but an opposite result to that intended is some- 
times hazarded. The Dunlin is not a shy bird, and is easily 
reconciled to confinement. It is good to eat in the autumn, 
on its first return to the sea. 
They run along the sands in a sprightly manner, and very 
fast on occasion. in a horizontal position of body, the head 
being carried in the same way, and retracted with the neck, 
continually flirting up the tail. They skim over the surface 
of the sea with great rapidity in a semicircular course. 
They feed on small beetles, gnats, sand-flies, and other 
aquatic insects and their larvee, worms, crustacea, and mollusks, 
for which they probe with their bill; and in quest of these 
run nimbly along the sands by the edge of the sea, coursing, 
now here, now there, and then flying off to some short 
distance for a fresh search. They frequently wade in a little 
way, or ratuer, are often overtaken by the light foam of the 
spent wave, which their instinct tells them will in a moment 
be withdrawn, in obedience to the Divine command imposed 
on every element, and which, as it must obey, need therefore 
not be feared. During the full tide they rest on some rock 
or other eminence, or remain gathered together on the beach, 
awaiting the time when they shall be able to return again 
to their feeding-places. 
The ordinary note, which is frequently given utterance to, 
is only a weak scream, a ‘kwee, kwee;’? but the male bird 
sings his best to the female to amuse her while sitting on 
the nest, or sounds a timely alarm if any danger be thought 
to approach. While at rest on the ground, the cry is softer 
