72 TRINGA ARENARIA. 



SUBGENUS III. CALIDSIS, 1LLICF.R. 

 223. TRINGA ARENARIA, LINN. CHARADRIUS CAL1DRIS, W1LS, 



SANDERLING PLOVER. 

 WILSON, PLATE LIX. FIO. IV. WINTER I>: 



IN this well known bird AVC have another proof of 

 the imperfection of systematic arrangement, where no 

 attention is paid to the general habits, but where one 

 single circumstance is sometimes considered sufficient 

 to determine the species. The genus plover is charac- 

 terized by several strong family traits, one of which is 

 that of wanting the hind toe. The^sandpipers have 

 also their peculiar external characters of bill, general 

 form, &e. by which they are easily distinguished from 

 the former. The present species, though possessing 

 the bill, general figure, manners, and voice of the sand- 

 pipers, feeding in the same way, and associating with 

 these in particular, yet wanting the hind toe, has been 

 classed with the plovers, with whom, this single cir- 

 cumstance excepted, it has no one characteristic in 

 common. Though we have not, in the present instance, 

 presumed to alter this arrangement, yet it appears 

 both reasonable and natural that, where the specific 

 characters in any bird seem to waver between t\vo 

 species, the figure, voice, and habits of the equivocal 

 one, should always be taken into, consideration, and 

 be allowed finally to determine the class to which it 

 belongs. Had this rule been followed in the present 

 instance, the bird we are now about to describe would 

 have undoubtedly been classed with the sandpipers. 



The history of this species has little in it to excite 

 our interest or attention. It make* its appearance on 

 our sea coasts early in September, continues during the 

 greater part of winter, and on the approach of spring 

 returns to the northern regions to breed. While here, 

 it seems perpetually busy running along the wave-worn 

 strand, following the flux aud reflux of the surf, eagerly 



