SCOLOPACIDJ2. 229 



duce this bird as an example of the vernal and 

 autumnal migrations which I believe to be per- 

 formed by most of the Grallatores. 



In summer there are, perhaps, fewer of the 

 Scolopacidae in Sussex than at any other period of 

 the year. About the beginning of September their 

 numbers rapidly increase, being reinforced by par- 

 ties arriving from their summer quarters in the 

 North, on their way to the South of Europe. 

 They are, generally speaking, more abundant on 

 our shores at this time than at any other, although 

 many of course remain with us during the winter, 

 when they may be found at Pagham, Shoreham, 

 Newhaven, and in similar localities. Godwits then 

 appear in their plain gray garb, and are all equally 

 wary and gun-shy from repeated persecution ; but 

 about the latter end of March fresh detachments 

 begin to arrive, the males presenting the gay ferru- 

 ginous nuptial attire, for like all spring visitors 

 from the continent whether land, wading, or 

 swimming birds they are much farther advanced 

 towards the plumage peculiar to the breeding- 

 season than those which have sojourned here dur- 

 ing the winter. The dunlins, which arrive at the 

 same time, have the black breast fully developed. 

 The curlew sandpiper or pigmy curlew now 

 suddenly appears in his beautiful summer dress, 



