PURPLE SANDPIPER. 89 



some, however, do not go to any great distance, and that 

 a tew pairs may even produce their young on the British 

 Islands, seems certain. The old hirds, as in the instance 

 of the Turnstone, are observed to be absent but a very 

 short time from their usual haunts on the coast; young 

 birds returning with them, or following soon after. On 

 the Farn Islands, on one occasion, Mr. Selby met with a 

 family of this species, the young of which were scarcely 

 able to fly. 



It is, however, more commonly considered as only a 

 winter visiter, and is seen busily employed turning over 

 stones and searching among sea- weed for the smaller 

 shrimps and sandhoppers which are to be found there, 

 and this bird feeds besides on young crabs, marine insects, 

 and the soft bodies of animals inhabiting small shells. 



It visits Ireland in winter, but is considered rare ; has 

 been killed on the coast both of North and South Wales ; 

 is more common in Cornwall, where Mr. Rodd sends me 

 word it has been killed in summer as well as in winter. 

 Various authorities mention it as appearing constantly in 

 winter on the shores of Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Sussex, 

 Kent, Essex, Norfolk, Yorkshire, and Durham. Mr. Dunn 

 says, " The Purple Sandpiper is very numerous in Orkney 

 and Shetland, appearing early in spring, and leaving again 

 at the latter end of April, about which time it collects in 

 large flocks, and may be found on the rocks at ebb-tide, 

 watching each retiring wave, running down as the water 

 falls back, picking small shell-fish off the stones, and dis- 

 playing great activity in escaping the advancing sea. It 

 does not breed there." 



Mr. Dann remarks, that "unlike the others of this 

 tribe, the Purple Sandpiper does not altogether quit the 

 Scandinavian coast in winter : as the ice accumulates and 



