442 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 



These usually lie at a short depth below the surface ; but, in some 

 places, are seen at low water in heaps, like masses of wet grain, in 

 quantities of more than a bushel together. During the latter part 

 of summer and autumn, these minute shell-fish constitute the food 

 of almost all those busy flocks that run with such activity along the 

 sands, among the flowing and retreating waves. They are univer- 

 sally swallowed whole; but the action of the bird's stomach, 

 assisted by the shells themselves, soon reduces them to a pulp. If 

 we may judge from their effects, they must be extremely nutritious ; 

 for almost all those tribes that feed on them are at this season mere 

 lumps of fat. Digging for these in the hard sand would be a work 

 of considerable labor ; whereas, when the particles are loosened by 

 the flowing of the sea, the birds collect them with great ease and 

 dexterity. It is amusing to observe with what adroitness they fol- 

 low and elude the tumbling surf, while, at the same time, they seem 

 wholly intent on collecting their food. 



" The Ash-colored Sandpiper, the subject of our present accouut, 

 inhabits both Europe and America. It has been seen in great 

 numbers on the Seal Islands, near Chatteaux Bay ; is said to con- 

 tinue the whole summer in Hudson's Bay, and breeds there. Mr. 

 Pennant suspects that it also breeds in Denmark, and says that 

 they appear in vast flocks on the Flintshire shore during the winter 

 season. With us they are also migratory, being only seen in 

 spring and autumn. They are plump birds ; and, by those accus- 

 tomed to the sedgy taste of this tribe, are esteemed excellent 

 eating." 



AEQUATELLA, BAIKD. 



TEINGA MARITIMA. Brunnich. 



The Purple Sandpiper. 



Tringa maritima, Brunnich. Orn. Bor. (1764), 54. Nutt. Man., II. 115. Aud. 

 Orn. Biog., III. (1835) 558. /&., Birds Am., V. (1842) 261. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Bill rather longer than the head, straight, compressed ; nasal groove long ; wings 

 long; tail short, rounded; legs moderate; toes free at base, flattened underneath and 

 slightly margined ; hind toe small ; entire head and upper parts dark smoky-brown 



