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ate borders of the ocean. 1 have rarely, during the early part of 

 autumn, visited the surf without meeting with large groups of 

 Sanderlings collected along the beach, of which they have almost 

 entire possession, as most of our shore birds find more productive 

 feeding-grounds on the richer soil that is daily overflown by our 

 inland bay. 



The Sanderling is of a sociable disposition, and searches for food 

 in company, and is observed probing the sand for small bivalve 

 shells and marine worms — to which article of diet, however, it is 

 not altogether confined, as at times it is seen attending the retiring 

 wave, which furnishes it with shrimps and the like. 



When feeding along the extreme verge of the ocean, it is pleas- 

 ing to watch its active movements, when advancing or retreating 

 with the influx or reflux of the sea. It is naturally very unwary, 

 and regards man with less suspicion than most of our Tringas, 

 When fired into, those which survive rise with a low.whistling note, 

 perform a few evolutions, and presently resume their occupation 

 with as much confidence as previously exhibited. When wounded 

 in the wing it takes to the water, and swims well. 



Late in the season it gets very fat, and is excellent eating. The 

 plumage of the Sanderling, like most other species, varies with the 

 seasons. In spring, the fore part of the neck and upper portion of 

 the breast, is of a pale rufous color ; in autumn, the entire lower 

 parts are pure white — exceeding in whiteness the bleached sand on 

 which it dwells. 



Early writers have classed this bird under the Genus Cliaradrius, 

 (Plover,) to which the only claim it has, is, that the hind toe is 

 wanting. Wilson, in his excellent work, speaks of the impropriety 

 of this arrangement — though not wishing to disturb previous class- 

 ification, has followed the same system as that adopted by his pre- 

 decessors. 



In our more modern nomenclature, it appears in a new Genus 

 (CaJidris) of llliger, and up to the present day is the only species 

 of that Genus discovered. In Mr. Audubon's work it is classed 

 with the Tringas, and with ii we close our remarks on that Genus. 



