408 SCOLOPACID.E. 



L1MIGOLM. SCOLOPAC1D.E. 



TRINGA STRIATA, Linnaeus.* 

 THE PURPLE SANDPIPER. 



Tringa maritima. 



THE PURPLE SANDPIPER, though well known in this 

 country, is not very numerous as a species, but is found 

 on various parts of our coast, apparently preferring those 

 which are rocky rather than extensive flats of sand. It is 

 generally to he found from September throughout the winter 

 till the following April or May, when the greater portion of 

 them quit our shores, and pass in many instances to high 

 northern latitudes for the breeding-season. The old birds, 

 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; and Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., informs the Editor that 

 on the 27th September, at Blakeney in Norfolk, he shot a 

 young bird with some down still adhering to the neck. On 

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

 family of this species, the young of which were scarcely able 



* Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 248 (1766). 



