270 BIRDS. 



[There is a larger species, sub-species, or variety, which 

 has occurred once in Ireland.] 



Broad-billed Sandpiper. A straggler from Scandinavia, 

 which has occurred five times in the south and east of 

 England, and once in Ireland. 



Pectoral Sandpiper. A straggler from North America. 

 It has been obtained over twenty times in England, mostly 

 on the east side, and twice each in Scotland and Ireland. 



Bonaparte's Sandpiper. Another American straggler, 

 of which about a dozen, or rather more, have been ob- 

 tained in England, most in the west, and one in Ireland. 



Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. A Siberian bird that has been 

 obtained once in Norfolk. 



The Dunlin, or " Ox-bird," is common throughout these 

 islands in winter, at which season flocks are seen on all our 

 low shores; but in the spring, the breeding 

 season being about May, these birds become 

 more local, especially in Ireland, where its breeding-stations 

 are very few. In England it breeds chiefly on the higher 

 moors. In the breeding plumage the breast of the male 

 is conspicuously black, and the great length of the bill is 

 certain to attract attention. The food and habits are the 

 same as those of the rest of the group. It builds a slight 

 nest in the grass or heather. Eggs, 4, i y$ inch ; greenish, 

 with brown spots. 



The Little Stint, a small and noisy bird, bears some 

 resemblance to the dunlin. I have seen numbers on 



Little the Sussex and Hampshire coasts in former 

 Stint. years, though they seem less plentiful of late ; 

 and they are often found in the company of larger waders, 

 which has always suggested to me the parallel of the herds 

 of mixed game that in the old hunting days were, we are 

 told, to be seen browsing together in peace in the South 



