LITTLE-STINT, CURLEW-SANDPIPER, ETC. 471 



note of the little-stint which is described as a quiet bird at the nest l 

 is a low warbling trill, 2 not so loud as that of the dunlin but 

 stronger than that of Temminck's stint (to be described in the " Rare 

 Bird " section of this work), and which has a far more ambitious song 

 than any of its congeners. 3 



The nests of the curlew-sandpiper found by members of the 

 Russian Polar Expedition were placed on southern slopes of the hilly 

 tundras where the snow first melts in grassy places. The nests con- 

 sisted of shallow depressions lined with a few dry straws and a white 

 tangle. At a warning-note from their mates the sitting birds slipped 

 quietly from their nests. Both birds would then remain " passive and 

 unobtrusive," and the female was observed to be very shy and 

 reluctant to return to the nest. According to Mr. Birulia, the nests 

 were so near as almost to form colonies, and "not infrequently an 

 old nest is used." Both male and female incubate. 4 The birds 

 arrived at the breeding-places in the end of May, and early in June 

 they were observed chasing each other in threes and fours over the 

 tundra. In the middle of June the nests contained full clutches of 

 eggs. As with some other Arctic-breeding Waders, some individuals 

 of this species were observed to wander about in small flocks during 

 the breeding season. 5 



The little-stint at the nest shows entire disregard for its own 

 safety. It does not hover above the head of an intruder like some 

 of its congeners, but flies around in small circles near the ground. 

 When its nest is being rifled it will alight and run fearlessly to within 

 a foot of the hand of the spoiler. The first nest found by Harvie- 

 Brown and Seebohm on the Petschora was described as rather untidy, 

 rough and uneven round the edges, very shallow, and lined with a 

 few small leaves. Surrounding it were masses of yellow Sphagnum, 

 dark green leaves, and empty calices of Arctic bramble, and a tuft of 



1 Slater, British Birds, their Nests and Eggs, v. p. 129. 



1 Yarrell, British Birds, iii. p. 394. 3 Slater, op. cit. , v. p. 132. 



4 Dresser, Eggs of the Birds of Europe, p. 701. 



5 Ibis, 1904, p. 231. 



