50 TEMMINCK'S STINT. 



were met with on the banks of the Nede, near Wisbeach, 

 September 3rd., 1851. In Sussex one at Newhaven, on the 

 5th. of the same month, and two were killed near Chichester 

 in 1826. In Kent, one near Deal, the 5th. of September, 

 1850. 



It performs a spring and autumnal migration, the former 

 to, and the latter from, the north; and these respectively 

 about the latter end of May, or even the beginning of June, 

 it is asserted, and the middle of August. It moves at such 

 seasons by night. 



These Sandpipers frequent the borders of lakes, ponds, 

 marshes, and rivers, at a distance inland, but are also some- 

 times to be found on the sandy edges of creeks of the sea, 

 and along its shores. They are not of a shy nature, but 

 when in company with birds that are, partake of their more 

 nervous manners. They assemble together in smaller or larger 

 flocks, and join also with other species. 



Its flight is particularly rapid, and all its motions are 

 quick and lively. It runs about in a horizontal position 

 with the bill pointed downwards. 



The prey it feeds on is composed of flies, gnats, beetles, 

 and other insects and their larvae, mollusca, and worms. It 

 also swallows some sand, and also vegetable substances, but 

 perhaps unwillingly. 



The note is only a 'tirrr, tirrr.' 



Male; weight, six drachms; length, from five inches and a 

 quarter, or five and a half, to five inches and three quarters; 

 bill, dull black at the tip, and browner at the base; from 

 it to the eye there is a dusky streak, and over it another 

 indistinct streak, which in winter is white. Iris, dark brown; 

 forehead, grey reddish brown, with small black streaks and 

 spots in winter. Head on the crown, neck on the back, and 

 nape, pale ferruginous brown, broadly streaked on each feather 

 angularly with dark brown, in winter ash grey varied with 

 dark brown; neck on the sides, grey reddish brown, with 

 very small longitudinal black streaks and spots; chin, white; 

 throat and breast above, pale brown, spotted with dusky 

 brown and tinged with buff; below, white; the back feathers 

 are black with rufous margins; in winter it is nearly uniform 

 dusky greyish brown tinted with olive, with narrow lighter- 

 coloured edges. 



The wings have the first quill feather the longest, but the 

 second almost of the same length; the axillary plume white; 



