BIRDS OF THE SEA 103 



Plumage. — It has not been observed here in breeding 

 plumage, in which the predominant colouring is chestnut. 

 In autumn and winter the prevailing tint is grey. Back 

 of head black. Forehead, sides of head, throat, and 

 under parts white. Back of neck, secondaries, and back 

 pearl-grey. Bill black. Legs and feet yellow. Toes 

 lobed. Length yh in. Female : larger, 8J in., and 

 brighter. Young : in winter dress more sandy above, 

 and tawny on breast. 



Language. — A sharp " tweet." 



Habits. — A good swimmer, being aided by its lobate 

 toes. Fond of paddling about in shallow water looking 

 for food, and keeping up an incessant twittering. 



Food. — Small Crustacea, marine insects, larvae, and 

 other small aquatic creatures. 



Nidification. — Breeds in circumpolar regions. 



LITTLE STINT (Tringa minuta). 



A visitor in small numbers on migration, usually 

 observed in autumn and again in spring, more particularly 

 on the east coast. 



Haunts. — Mud and sandy flats. 



Observation. — In general appearance like a diminutive 

 Dunlin, without black on lower breast. 



Plumage. — Upper parts variegated with rufous and 

 black. Throat and upper breast tinged with rufous, and 

 speckled with dark brown ; under parts white. Bill, 

 legs, and feet black. Length 6 in. Female similar, but 

 rather larger. In winter upper parts greyish brown, 

 and rufous on throat is lost. Young : feathers above 

 margined with huffish white. 



Language. — A sharp " wick." When heard in a flock, 

 the noise seems like that of grasshoppers. 



