DUNLIN. 



659 



came known to Montagu previous to the publication of the 

 Supplement to his Ornithological Dictionary, and the subject 

 has received further illustration from M. Temminck and Mr. 

 Selby. To avoid the perplexity which had attended the 

 double nomenclature of Tringa alpina and Tringa cinclus 

 for one species, M. Meyer, an Ornithologist of Germany, 

 proposed to call it Tringa variabilis, from the great dif- 

 ference observed in its plumage at different seasons of the 

 year, and this name appears likely to gain almost universal 

 adoption. 



This species, known all round our coast by some one or 

 more of the following names : — viz.. Dunlin, Purre, (Sir 

 Thomas Browne writes it, Churr,) Stint, Ox-bird, Sea Snipe, 

 &c., is the most common as well as the most numerous of all 

 the Sandpipers frequenting our shores, and may be seen there 

 throughout the year, except for a short time at their breeding- 

 season ; nor is it very often seen inland at any other period. 

 During autumn, particularly, when the parent birds return to 

 their marine localities and are joined by their broods of the 

 year, immense flocks of these Dunlins may be seen busily 

 employed close to the edge of the sea, searching and probing 

 for the minute animals upon which they feed. They fre- 

 quent sandy flats and bars that project into the sea ; they 

 are observed to be incessantly upon the move, shifting their 

 ground perpetually, running nimbly along, or taking short 

 flights from place to place, frequently wading to follow the 

 aquatic insects, worms, mollusca, and the smaller thin skinned 

 Crustacea, which are put in motion by every receding wave. 

 If disturbed, the whole flock take wing together, and wheel- 

 ing alono: in half circles near the edo^e or the surface of the 

 water, each bird exhibits alternately a dark or light appear- 

 ance to the observer, as the upper or under side of its body 

 happens to be turned towards him. 



During winter many dozens are shot for the table, on vari- 



2 u 2 



