66 THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 



DUNLIN. 

 Tringa variabilis. Linn. 



The Dunlin is more or less numerous on the banks 

 of the Medway and mud-flats according to the 

 severity of the season ; I have seen them in fifties, in 

 hundreds, and in thousands ; they begin to make their 

 appearance in August, when other shore birds, such 

 as ringed Plovers, consort with them ; I have shot 

 them flying together with jet-black breasts ; we have 

 a smaller variety which I have met with on the 

 borders of our creeks in the month of April after all 

 the rest of the Dunlins are gone, in red plumage and 

 with less black on the breast, they appear to be a dis- 

 tinct race. I have not heard of their making any 

 prolonged stay with us. 



PURPLE SANDPIPER. 

 Tringa striata. Linn. 



When the winter has been severe I have shot the 

 Purple Sandpiper on our marsh walls, where they have 

 been repaired with rock-stone. 



RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. 

 Phalaropus hyperboreus (Linn.). 



A red-necked Phalarope has been obtained in the 

 autumn time of the year on the Rainham marsh, 



