DUNLIN, 131] 
approach. But its breeding-place is very much more to the 
north than any portion of the British Islands extends. The 
male in his nuptial dress is a very much gayer gentleman than 
after his annual honeymoon is over. 
211. BUFF-BREASTED SAND-PIPER—(Zringa rufescens). 
Only of very casual occurrence here. 
212. BROAD-BILLED SAND-PIPER—(Zringa platyrhynca). 
Fully as rare as the last. , 
132. LITTLE STINT—(Tringa minuta 
Not to be described altogether as a rare little bird, for it 
seems to be met with sometimes in autumn on the Southern and 
Eastern coasts in some numbers, and even in flocks of twenty 
or thirty together. They are often seen in company with the 
Dunlin or other small shore-birds. Very little is known about 
their breeding places or habits. 
914. TEMMINCK’S STINT—(Zringa Temmonckit). 
Less even than the last named small bird, and much more 
rare; besides which it frequents fresh waters rather than the 
seashore. No very great number of them, however, has been 
met with m England. | 
914*, SCHINZ’S SAND-PIPER—(Tringa Schinzit). 
A very rare bird. 
915. PECTORAL SAND-PIPER—(Zringa pectoralis). 
Another rare Sandpiper ; and, like the last, a native of America. 
916. DUNLIN—(Zringa variabilis). 
Dunlin Sandpiper, Purre, Churr, Stint, Oxbird, Sea Snipe, 
Least Snipe, Sea Lark.—Perhaps the very commonest and best 
known, as well as incomparably the most abundant of all our 
small shore birds, and yet the one about which heaps of scientific 
mistakes have been made. The male has a conspicuous wedding- 
dress, which he duly puts on in the Spring, and once it was on 
K 2 
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4 
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