66 
the ground. The female lays from four to ten 
egos of a greenish white colour. ‘The young, as 
soon as they are hatched, swim and dive with great 
activity. 
DUNLIN, PURRE, OR STINT. 
Trinca ALPiIna, Lin. 
About the end of August the Dunlins appear on 
our shores in flocks, and disperse themselves over 
the whole of Great Britain, continuing together till 
the end of spring, when they separate. The nest, 
which is placed in a hollow, is composed of bits of 
dry grass or heath. The eggs, of which there are 
always four, are large, pear-shaped, of a greyish 
green, spotted with brown and light purplish grey. 
The young are covered with down, and soon leave 
the nest. As soon as they are fledged, both they 
and the old birds betake themselves to the sea- 
coast. Their food consists of worms, insects, 
laryee, and marine insects. They run with rapidity, 
probing the sand and mud with a light and quick 
motion, 
