J3g A. L. V. Mann'iche. 



were lying close together in broods carefully guarded by the old 

 female, on isolated larger hillocks surrounded by the ice-cold snow- 

 water. When the flood of melting water is unusually strong such 

 localities may be completely innundated, and then not only the 

 eggs but also the frail young ones, which are not yet able to save 

 themselves by swimming through the cold water to dry spots, will 

 be destroyed. 



This happened in summer 1908 for instance in the marsh North 

 of the ship's-harbour; this was to a great extent innundated by 

 melted snow rushing down from the rocks. Several nests and 

 young of Dunlin were lost on this occasion. Both sexes partake in 

 the hatching act and the male may also be seen near the young 

 ones, the guarding of which is mainly left to the female. 



This species will — according to my experience — leave the 

 country in families as soon as the young ones are strong enough 

 to migrate — usually in the first half of August. 



I only once met with a young Dunlin at the shore; it had 

 joined a party of some Sanderlings. I have never seen old Dunlins 

 at the salt water shore. 



This fact certainly disagrees with the observations made by 

 Bay in the Scoreby-Sound regions. Here the Dunlins are said to 

 "occur in multitudes in the meadows at the sea at the "Mudder- 

 bugt" August 25»^ to 28»i". ("Meddelelser om Grønland", Vol. 19, 

 1896, Page 29.) 



Consequently the Dunlins behaved here as did the Sanderlings 

 7 degrees farther North. 



The food of the Dunlin is — as already mentioned — essenti- 

 ally animal. In stomachs examined were found decomposed inde- 

 terminable pieces of chitin. In the stomach of an old bird shot 

 June 24"^ were found unmistakable remnants of pupæ of muscidæ, 

 and spiders. Remnants of vegetable origin were never found. 



I am not able to distinguish Dunlins from North-East Greenland 

 from those of Europe, neither as to their size, plumage, voice nor 

 their mode of living. Neither as to the eggs nor to the downy 

 young ones can any ditïerence be pointed out. (A clutch of eggs, 

 the colour of which differs much from the usual has been brought 

 home.) 



For the zoological museum in Copenhagen were collected the 

 skins of three full-grown birds and in spirit 4 full-grown birds and 

 6 downy young. Furthermore 15 eggs (4 clutches). The following 

 measurements have been taken: 



