334 SANDPIPERS AND PURRES. 



The four last genera of this Table form nearly the most 

 obscure and difficult division in the whole arrangement of 

 birds : running one into another, by shades so slight and 

 variable, that it is almost impossible to trace any positive 

 line of distinction. They comprise, under the scientific 

 names of Tringa, Charadrius, Numenius, and Scolopax, the 

 tribes of birds known under the more familiar appellations 

 of Sandpipers, Purres, Plovers, Phalaropes, Curlews, Wood- 

 cocks, &c. 



Amongst the Sandpipers and Purres, we find those busy, 

 active flocks of little birds, which so often enliven a saunter- 

 ing walk along the rocks and shores of the ever-ebbing and 

 flowing sea. There they may be seen, now running inces- 

 santly with a light tripping motion, up and down, and here 

 and there, in search of shrimps, sea-worms, or small shell- 

 fish ; and then, particularly if approached too near, taking 

 flight at the same instant, with a whirring, whizzing sound, 

 and a loudish whistling cry, reminding us, by their sudden 

 changes in flight, and shades of colour, of our friends the 

 Starlings ; at one moment appearing as a little dark cloud, if 

 their backs are presented, and then in an instant almost 

 dazzling the eye with the bright white of their under delicate 

 plumage, occasioned by an instantaneous turn of their bodies ; 

 and then again seeming almost to disappear, as they dart 

 along with their wings edgeways towards the eye. It is 

 impossible to watch the flight of these merry, sociable little 

 birds, without pronouncing them to be a happy race, with 

 all the enjoyments and few of the cares of life. The skulk- 

 ing, solitary gunner, who prowls about the shore, appears to 

 be their only enemy ; and, conscious of their power of keep- 

 ing aloof, they seem to treat him with indifference. 



Some species of these birds, such as the Ring- Dotterel, or 

 Sea-Lark, have advantages over other birds, with respect to 

 their young, on the appearance of danger being enabled to 

 carry them out of harm's way. There can be no doubt of 

 this curious fact. One of these birds was seen on a rocky 

 shore in Anglesey, running over a sandy patch a few yards 

 off, accompanied by two young ones. On finding herself 



