SANDPIPERS. 239 



few years. A pair were seen at Brandon Head, co. 

 Kerry, in 1880, by the coast-guard, who remarked 

 on their bills being turned up the wrong way. 

 This pair remained all through the year, and were 

 constantly seen, but with the most careful search 

 no trace of nest or eggs could be found. Mr. 

 Warren tells me he obtained a pair in 1875 at 

 Ballina ; and Irish-killed specimens are to be seen 

 in every collection. 



Sandpipers of various kinds are very common 

 to the shores of Ireland. The Dunlin (Tringa 

 alpina) may be seen in tens of thousands, the 

 Redshank (Totanus calidris] singly and in small 

 numbers everywhere, flying to and fro ; now feeding, 

 now standing on the water's edge, nodding and bow- 

 ing a movement for which I could never see the 

 reason. At their own reflection it cannot be, for 

 they will act similarly on the shingle.* They are a 

 pest to fowlers, and spoil many a shot, alarming the 

 fowl at the wrong moment with their shrill cry, that 

 sounds a note of warning far and near. It is not 

 that they are naturally timid, for they may be often 

 noticed running about and searching for their food 

 within a few yards of your punt as you shove along. 

 At night they stalk about like shadows, sometimes 

 within an oar's length. Their disposition is most 

 restless, and it is the habit of this bird to remain 

 but a short time in one spot, and on the wing to call 

 loudly. This they will do when near or far, whether 

 frightened or unsuspicious. 



* All wildfowl will nod and jerk the head, especially Pintail, as 

 the nesting-time draws near ; but the bowing motion peculiar to the 

 Redshank is habitual at all seasons. 



