58 DUNLIN. 



They assemble in large flocks, thousands being sometimes 

 to be seen at once, before they disperse for the winter into 

 small companies; and very pleasant it is to watch them as 

 they sweep out over the sea, and then round in again not 

 far above the surface, displaying in their winter plumage, a 

 light and dark appearance alternately: in tnus coursing along 

 they all move in a simultaneous manner, as if under the 

 guidance of some leader. 



The Dunlin is very careful of her nest and its contents, 

 and in more than one instance has been known to suffer 

 herself to be taken in the hand sooner than forsake it. 

 More commonly, if it be approached, the male, and not 

 unfrequently the female also, will fly towards any intruder, 

 and alighting near him, use every endeavour, as by pretending 

 lameness and disability, to cheat him of a knowledge of its 

 situation, but an opposite result to that intended is some- 

 times hazarded. The Dunlin is not a shy bird, and is easily 

 reconciled to confinement. It is good to eat in the autumn, 

 on its first return to the sea. 



They run along the sands in a sprightly manner, and very 

 fast on occasion, in a horizontal position .of body, the head 

 being carried in the same way, and retracted with the neck, 

 continually flirting up the tail. They skim over the surface 

 of the sea with great rapidity in a semicircular course. 



They feed on small beetles, gnats, sand-flies, and other 

 aquatic insects and their larvae, worms, Crustacea, and mollusks, 

 for which they probe with their bill; and in quest of these 

 run nimbly along the sands by the edge of the sea, coursing, 

 now here, now there, and then flying off to some short 

 distance for a fresh search. They frequently wade in a little 

 way, or rather, are often overtaken by the light foam of the 

 spent wave, which their instinct tells them will in a moment 

 be withdrawn, in obedience to the Divine command imposed 

 on every element, and which, as it must obey, need therefore 

 not be feared. During the full tide they rest on some rock 

 or other eminence, or remain gathered together on the beach, 

 awaiting the time when they shall be able to return again 

 to their feeding-places. 



The ordinary note, which is frequently given utterance to, 

 is only a weak scream, a 'kwee, kvvee;' but the male bird 

 sings his best to the female to amuse her while sitting on 

 the nest, or sounds a timely alarm if any danger be thought 

 to approach. While at rest on the ground, the cry is softer 



