TRINGA. GRALLATORES. TRINGA. 151 



equalling the length of the middle toe. In the fourth volume 

 of the Linnean Transactions, a correct description of our 

 bird is given by MONTAGU as a supposed nondescript species, 

 under the title of the Phayrelarn Sandpiper ( Tringa nigri- 

 cans) ; but he afterwards corrected his mistake in the Orni- 

 thological Dictionary and the Supplement to it. It is also 

 described in the above mentioned volume by Mr MARCH- 

 WICK, in his Catalogue of the Birds of Sussex, as the Sea 

 Sandpiper (Tringa maritima of LATHAM). PENNANT, in 

 his description of the Knot, appears to have mixed up this 

 bird with the true Knot (Tringa canutus), in which confu- 

 sion he was followed by BEWICK, whose excellent figure of 

 the Knot, however, at once identifies it with the Purple Sand- 

 piper of authors. STEPHENS has, in one instance, described 

 it as a Tringa, under the title of Tringa canadensis (Que- 

 bec Sandpiper of LATHAM) ; and, in another place, as a To- 

 tanus, under the name of Totanus maritimus. 



The Purple Tringa is a winter visitant to this country, Periodical 

 generally arriving early in October, and departing for more 

 northern latitudes in April. On the Northumbrian coast it 

 is a common bird, and is met with in numerous flocks where- 

 ever the beach is bold and rocky. The Fern Islands, which 

 are composed of trap (or basaltic) rocks, are a favourite re- 

 sort, and it sometimes happens that a few stragglers are left 

 at the period of the vernal migration, remaining through the 

 summer, and breeding on the smaller islets. I have hitherto 

 been unable to obtain the eggs, but have met with the young 

 more than once in the month of June. When in flocks, 

 these birds fly in a compact body, but seldom to any great 

 distance ; and, when disturbed, after taking a small circuit 

 seaward, often return to the same exposed rock by the water's 

 edge, from which they started. They feed on marine in- Food, 

 sects, such as onisci, small cancri, and on bivalve mollusca?, 

 &c. which they seek for by turning aside the fronds of the 

 ulvas, and other maritime plants, that grow on the rocks. 

 Their cry is feeble, and not unlike the word weef, weet, fre- 





