BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 269 



Island. The following notes exhibit the former abundance of 

 the Purple Sandpiper and its decrease: Very abundant, 

 nowhere more so than in Boston harbor; sold in Boston 

 market in autumn and winter; some in New York market; 

 rarely seen farther south (Audubon, 1827). Abounds in 

 autumn, and is sold in the market in Boston (Peabody, 1839). 

 Not uncommon in spring and autumn flights (Samuels, 1870). 

 In Massachusetts this bird is rather uncommon, seen only in 

 small groups of three or four (Chamberlain, 1891). Only 

 four Massachusetts correspondents note an increase of this 

 species, and twenty-one record a decrease. 



It is no longer "very abundant" in Boston harbor, as it 

 was in Audubon's day, but small numbers still frequent the 

 outer ledges in winter. And it may be seen at that season 

 on the rocky wave-washed shores of Nahant, where its little 

 companies enliven the winter scene along this stern and rugged 

 coast. 



Its form is peculiar for a Sandpiper. It is short, thick, 

 wide, squat and sturdy. It stands firmly on its short strong 

 legs and is not at all timid. Often it will allow one to approach 

 within a few yards. It never has needed to practice dodging 

 the summer gunners, for it never sees them nor they it. It is 

 very rarely seen on beach or marsh when with us, but fre- 

 quents outlying rocky islands and ledges, where the sea 

 washes the mantle of rockweed back and forth. It may be 

 found sunning itself contentedly when the thermometer 

 registers near the zero mark. Small flocks may be seen even 

 in a storm, resting at high tide, face to the wind, or chasing 

 one another in play. It is met with sometimes in numbers on 

 the rocky islands of Essex County, Mass., but is rarer farther 

 south. Usually most of the Purple Sandpipers have left the 

 New England coast for their arctic homes in March, but 

 some are seen in April. 



This species is said to feed on mollusks, insects and seeds 

 gleaned largely from the salt rockweed. Dr. Townsend states 

 that its food consists chiefly of mollusks, especially the edible 

 mussel {Mytilus edulis). 



