. SPECIES 6. TRINGA ALPINA. 

 RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. 

 [Plate LVL Fig. 2.J 



Dunlin, Arct. Zool. p. 476, No. 391. BEWICK, n, p. 113. La 

 Brunnette, BUFF, vn, 493. PEALE'S Museum, JVo. 4094.* 



THIS bird inhabits both the old and new continents, being 

 known in England by the name of the Dunlin; and in the United 

 States, along the shores of New Jersey, by that of the Red-back. 

 Its residence here is but transient, chiefly in April and May, 

 while passing to the arctic regions to breed; and in September 

 and October, when on its return southward to winter quarters. 

 During their stay they seldom collect in separate flocks by them- 

 selves; but mix with various other species of strand-birds, among 

 whom they are rendered conspicuous by the red colour of the 

 upper part of their plumage. They frequent the muddy flats, 

 and shores of the salt marshes, at low water, feeding on small 

 worms and other insects which generally abound in such places. 

 In the month of May they are extremely fat. 



This bird is said to inhabit Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, 

 the Alps of Siberia; and in its migrations the coasts of the Cas- 

 pian sea.t It has not, till now, been recognized by naturalists as 

 inhabiting this part of North America. Wherever its breeding 

 place may be, it probably begins to lay at a late period of the 

 season, as in numbers of females which I examined on the first 

 of June, the eggs were no larger than grains of mustard seed. 



Length of the Red-back eight inches and a half, extent fifteen 

 inches; bill black, longer than the head, (which would seem to 

 rank it with the Snipes) slightly bent, grooved on the upper 



* Tringa oJpina, LATH. Ind. Orn. 736, Ab. 37. Lt Cinclc, BUFF. Pi Enl. 852. 

 t Pennant. 



