THE STINTS. 409 



wise in Denmark. Its proper home is the far north, where 

 it passes the summer months. A portion may probably 

 migrate, but the greater part remain on the outer islands of 

 the Skiirgard during the entire of the winter ; such at least 

 was the case with us. 



The favourite resorts of the purple sandpiper are naked 

 rocks, for the most part such as at flood are under water, 

 and at ebb above the surface, and which in Norway are called 

 Fjcere. This bird, which from its dark colour, and short 

 legs, somewhat resembles a mouse, has therefore in that country 

 obtained the name of Fjcere-muus, or Fjaere-mouse. It feeds 

 on insects and worms, which abound in such situations ; and 

 one often sees the whole flock retreat from the wave, and 

 advance again as soon as it retires. It is among the least shy 

 of birds, and will often allow one to approach quite close to 

 it without showing signs of alarm. 



It is said to nest on the plateaux of the fjalls, and to lay 

 four pear-shaped eggs of a greyish-yellow colour, marked with 

 reddish-brown spots. 



The Temminck's Stint (Temmincks Strand-Vipd, Sw. ; 

 T. Temminckii, Leisl.) is found, according to Malm, in the 

 vicinity of Gothenburg. Some of these birds pass the 

 summer months in the more central parts of Sweden ; but 

 the larger portion are believed to nest in the far north. 

 M. von Wright describes them as common at Karesuando ; 

 and M. Malm says, that he met with them, though very 

 sparingly, on most of the fjall moors and morasses in even 

 higher latitudes. Though admitted by Danish naturalists 

 to be a Northern bird, it is asserted to breed occasionally in 

 Denmark. Its eggs, which appear to be unknown to Swedish 

 naturalists, are described by Kjgerbolling as numbering at times 



