Species VI. TRINGA ALPINA. 



RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. 



[Plate LVI. Fig. 2.] 



Dunlin. Arct. Zool. p. 476, No. 391.— Bewick, ii., p. 113.— ia Brunnette, Buff. 



VII., 493.* 



This bird inhabits both the old and new continents, being known in 

 England by the name of the Dunlin ; and in the United States, along 

 the shores of New Jersey, by that of the Red-back. Its residence here 

 is but transient, chiefly in April and May, while passing to the arctic 

 regions to breed ; and in September and October, when on its return 

 southward to winter quarters. During their stay they seldom collect 

 in separate flocks by themselves ; but mix with various other species of 

 strand-birds, among whom they are rendered conspicuous by the red 

 color of the upper part of their plumage. They frequent the muddy 

 flats, and shores of the salt marshes, at low water, feeding on small 

 worms and other insects which generally abound in such places. In 

 the month of May they are extremely fat. 



This bird is said to inhabit Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, the Alps 

 of Siberia; and in its migrations the coasts of the Caspian Sea.f It 

 has not, till now, been recognised by naturalists as inhabiting this part 

 of North America. Wherever its breeding place may be, it probably 

 begins to lay at a late period of the season, as in numbers of females 

 which I examined on the first of June, the eggs were no larger than 

 grains of mustard seed. 



Length of the Red-back eight inches and a half, extent fifteen inches ; 

 bill black, longer than the head (which would seem to rank it with the 

 Snipes), slightly bent, grooved on the upper mandible, and wrinkled at 

 the base ; crown, back and scapulars, bright reddish rust, spotted with 

 black ; wing-coverts pale olive ; quills darker ; the first tipped, the 

 latter crossed, with white ; front, cheeks, hind-head, and sides of the 

 neck, quite round, also the breast, grayish white, marked with small 

 specks of black ; belly white, marked with a broad crescent of black ; 

 tail pale olive, the two middle feathers centered with black ; legs and feet 



* Tringa alpina, Lath. hid. Orn. 736, No. 37.— Xe Cinde, Buff. PI. Enl. 852. 

 t Pennant. 



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