TRINGA MINUTA. 681 
of the back is much darker, and the wings, when closed, instead of 
showing the black and yellow markings of the male, are a shining- 
green transversely and minutely barred with black, all lustrously 
shot with metallic-green ; legs green; bill red at the tip; iris hazel. 
Length, 10"; wing, 5” 2’; tail 2”. 
Fig. Shelley, B. Egypt, pl. 11. 
652. Trinea minora, Leisl. Little Stint. 
Common in all marshes and on the seaboard. Their flight is 
very beautiful when in large flocks; various evolutions performed 
simultaneously show alternately the dark upper plumage and the 
white under sides like flashes of light, particularly when seen against a 
dull, lowering sky. Mr. Bradshaw obtained the species on the Orange 
River in November. Mr. Rickard says that it is not numerous near 
Hast London, and is generally seen in pairs by pools of fresh water. 
Mr. Ayres has met with the species in Natal, where he thinks it is 
only to be found in winter. He has also shot it at Reit Pan on the 
Rhinoster River in the Orange Free State. In the Transvaal the 
same gentleman says: “These Sandpipers are occasionally found 
in considerable flights on the mud-flats and borders of pools. They 
are very shy and difficult of access, and their flight is very rapid.” 
Mr. Andersson observes: ‘‘This species is common throughout 
Damara and Great Namaqua Land, and also occurs in the Lake 
regions ; it is found in small flocks, and frequents alike the sea- 
coast and freshwater pools, springs, and streamlets, where it eagerly 
seeks for the minute insects, crustacea, and aquatic worms which 
are more or less abundant in such localities. The flesh of this 
Sandpiper is excellent; and as it is a very tame bird, numbers may 
be bagged without much exertion.” Senor Anchieta has sent it 
also from Benguela. 
Adult in winter plumage.—Brownish-grey above, each feather 
with a dusky streak; the sides of the neck paler; its lower part 
tinged with brown; the throat, fore-neck, breast and abdomen 
white; the middle tail-coverts dusky; the lateral white; the tail- 
feathers ash-grey, edged with white ; the two middle greyish-brown. 
In summer: the upper parts yellowish-red, spotted with brownish- 
black; the throat, breast, and other lower parts, white; the lower 
anterior and lateral parts of the neck reddish-grey, streaked with 
