DUNLIN. 



LIMICOLA?. 



377 

 SCOLOPACIDsfi. 



TBINGA ALPINA, Linnaeus.* 

 THE DUNLIN. 

 Tringa variabilis. 



THIS species, known all round our coast by some one or 

 more of the following names : viz., Dunlin, f Purre (Sir 

 Thomas Browne writes it, Churr), Stint, Ox-Bird, Sea Snipe, 

 &c., is the most numerous of all the Sandpipers frequent- 

 ing our shores and tidal rivers, and may be seen there 

 throughout the year, except for a short time at the breeding- 

 season ; nor is it very often seen inland at any other period. 

 Even in summer, however, flocks of birds of the previous 

 year which have not attained the breeding plumage may be 

 observed on the Spurn in Yorkshire, and in similar suitable 

 localities on our coasts. During autumn, particularly when 



* Syst. Nat. Ed. 12. i. p. 249 (1766). 



t In the 'Durham Household Book,' 1534, the word is spelt 'Dunling,' and 

 Mr. Harting suggests (Zool. 1881, p. 444) that it may be a diminutive, like 

 Gosling, Duckling. 



VOL. III. 3 C 



