456 SCOLOPACIM. 



were distinct species ; of which the former was called 

 Dunlin, the latter Purre. It is now known that the two 

 are identical, the bird being commonly found to assume in 

 spring and autumn colours intermediate between the two. 

 Except during the three summer months, May, June, and 

 July, the Dunlin is common on all the shores of Great 

 Britain, where there are extensive reaches of sand or mud. 

 I have obtained specimens on the coast of Norfolk as early 



THE DUNLIN. 



as the 25th of July ; but, generally, it is not until the 

 following month that they become numerous. From this 

 time until late in the winter they are reinforced by con- 

 stant additions ; and in very severe weather the flocks are 

 increased to such an extent that, if it were possible to 

 number them, they would be probably found to contain 

 very many thousands. Such a season was the memorable 

 winter of 1860-61, when, during the coldest part of it, 



