320 SANDPIPERS. 



birds : running one into another, by shades so slight and 

 variable, that it is almost impossible to trace any positive line 



of distinction. They 

 comprise, under the 

 scientific names of 

 Tringa, Charadrius, 

 Numenius,and Scolo- 

 pax, the tribes of 



Beak of Avoset. 1-11 ^ 



birds known under 



the more familiar appellations of Sandpipers, Plovers, Phala- 

 ropes, Curlews, Woodcocks, &c. 



Amongst the Sandpipers we find those busy, active flocks 

 of little birds, which so often enliven a sauntering walk along 

 the rocks and shores of the ever-ebbing and flowing sea. There 

 they may be seen, now running incessantly with a light trip- 

 ping motion, up and down, and here and there, in search of 

 shrimps, sea-worms, or small shell-fish ; and then, particularly 

 if approached too near, taking flight at the same instant, with a 

 whirring, whizzing sound, and a shrill whistling cry, reminding 

 us, by their sudden changes in flight, and shades of colour, of 

 our friends the Starlings ; at one moment appearing as a little 

 dark cloud, if their backs are presented, and then in an instant 

 almost dazzling the eye with the bright white of their under 

 delicate plumage, occasioned by an instantaneous turn of their 

 bodies ; and then again seeming almost . to disappear, as they 

 dart along with their wings edgeways towards the eye. It is 

 impossible to watch the flight of these merry, sociable little 

 birds, without pronouncing them to be a happy race, with all 

 the enjoyments and few of the cares of life. The skulking, 

 solitary gunner, who prowls about the shore, appears to be 

 their only enemy ; and, conscious of their power of keeping 

 aloof, they seem to treat him with indifference. 



Some species of these birds, such as the Ring-Dotterel, or 

 Sea-Lark, have advantages over other birds with respect to 

 their young, on the appearance of danger being enabled to 

 carry them out of harm's way. There can be no doubt of 

 this curious fact. One of these birds was seen on a rocky 

 shore in Anglesea, running over a sandy patch a few yards 



