408 SANDPIPERS AND RELATED SPECIES 



It is not easy to trace the distribution of the smaller birds outside 

 the British Isles, but the Rev. H. H. Slater procured one in Iceland, 1 

 and Mr. Bonhote found it breeding near pairs of the larger form on 

 the fjeld near Yadso, Norway. 2 Mr. S. A. Buturlin and Baron London 

 found it breeding on islands off Western Esthonia in 1907. 



It is of interest that the smaller birds have been observed to be 

 more fond of brackish pools, the beds of small tidal rivers, and marsh 

 drains, than the open shore. They are also said to be tamer than 

 the large winter visitors, and to keep in small family parties rather 

 than in large flocks, and according to Buturlin the call-note is weaker 

 and softer. 



The dunlin is exceedingly variable not only in size but also in 

 colour. The small form is richer in colour more rufous than the 

 larger birds. Young dunlin in their first autumn i.e. in the first 

 feather plumage are far warmer in colour than adult birds in 

 autumn and winter. In fact, the first feather plumage of these and 

 several other Waders is a modification rather of the summer than the 

 winter plumage of the adults. Young birds do not acquire the full 

 breeding plumage until they are two years old ; an intermediate 

 plumage characterises them in their second summer. All the 

 members of this genus undergo a decided seasonal change of 

 plumage, assuming a very distinct breeding dress. 



Measurements given by Mr. Bonhote (Zoologist, 1901, pp. 185-187) from specimens in his 

 collection show less difference between the two forms : 



Bill. Wing. 



Small form, . . . '98 to 1'16 4'0 to 4'36 



Large form, .... 1 -18 to 1-47 4'25 to 4'8C 



These measurements, taken together, show that so far as size alone goes, it is not easy to 

 draw a line between the two forms, and indicate rather that they represent, as Mr. Bonhote 

 says, " the extremes of a very variable species." 



For further details regarding the variation of the dunlin, see Zoologist, 1901, pp. 91-94, 156, 

 185-187, and 187-188; and P. Z. S., 1871, p. 115. 



1 British Birds, their Nests and Eggs, vol. v. p. 123. 



2 Zoologist, 1901, pp. 185-187. 



