THE SANDERLING. 399 



who sell all birds about the size of the birds in question, 

 to the poulterers, at a certain rate per dozen. But in 

 reality, out of half a dozen flocks which may sweep by 

 a stroller on the sandy sea-shore, it is quite possible that 

 three or four of them may be composed of as many 

 different species of birds, and even that any one of the 

 flocks may be made up mainly of one sort, but with 

 a sprinkling of another. When the flocks are feeding on 

 the sand, especially close to the water's edge, where 



THE SANDERLING. 



their prey, consisting of living Crustacea, demands close 

 attention and activity on their part, it is possible to 

 approach near enough to them to distinguish the different 

 kinds ; and in severe weather the flocks are often so tame, 

 that if disturbed they will wheel away for a short flight, 

 and return to the immediate neighbourhood of the ob- 

 server. Sanderlings may then be easily discriminated 

 among Dunlins by their lighter tint and shorter beak. 



These birds are tolerably common on most of the 

 sandy shores of Great Britain, and are occasionally seen 



