68 TRINGA RUFA. 



in October they were abundant. How far to the south- 

 ward they extend their migration*, \\ have no tacts 

 that will enable us to ascertain, though it is probable 

 that the shores of the West India islands afford them 

 shelter and resources during our winter. 



220. TRINGA RUFA, WILSON. RED-BREASTED SANDPIPER. 

 WILSON, PLATE LVII. FIO. V.* EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 



OF this prettily marked species I can find 110 des- 

 cription. The Tringa Icelandica, or Aberdeen sand- 

 piper of Pennant and others, is the only species that 

 has any resemblance to it; the descriptions of that bird, 

 however, will not apply to the present. 



The common name of this species on our sea coast is 

 the gray-back, and among the gunners it is a particular 

 favourite, being generally a plump, tender, and excellent 

 bird for the table; and, consequently, brings a good 

 price in market. 



The gray-backs do not breed on the shores of the 

 Middle States. Their first appearance is early in May. 

 They remain a few weeks, and again disappear until 

 October. They usually keep in small flocks, aliht in 

 a close body together on the sand flats, where they 

 search for the small bivalve shells already described. 

 On the approach of the sportsman, they frequently 

 stand fixed and silent for some time ; do not appear to 

 be easily alarmed, neither do they run about in the 

 water as much as some others, or with the same rapidity, 

 but appear more tranquil and deliberate. In the month 

 of November, they retire to the south. 



This species is ten inches long, and twenty in extent ; 

 the bill is black, and about an inch and a half long ; 

 the chin, eyebrows, and whole breast,are a pale bro\vni>h 

 orange colour ; crown, hindhead from the upper man- 

 dible backwards, and neck, dull white, streaked with 

 black ; back, a pale slaty olive, the feathers tipt with 



* Is Tringa Icelandica, Linnaeus, in its summer drew. 



