SOLITARY AND GREGARIOUS. 



53 



the sea-shore, where the dunlin (Tringa variabilis, 

 MEYER), a bird, similar in its feeding to the sand- 

 piper, congregates in considerable bands. These 

 birds pick up an abundant supply of small marine 

 insects within the tide mark, and, at the same time, 

 keep so close to their companions, that we may say 

 we never saw one a yard from the flock. Whether 

 they appoint a watch or not we have not been able 

 to determine ; but they are so wary that several keen 

 sportsmen, at a watering-place, failed in procuring 

 us a single specimen, though they tried for two or 

 three months to get within shot of several flocks that 

 frequented the coast*. 



