168 FEATHEKED GAME 



birds" or the dowitchers. They are very wel- 

 come in the game-bag of the marsh gunners 

 for, although they are not large, they are always 

 fat, of good flavor and fine table birds. 



THE SANDERLING. '^ BEACH BIRD." 



(Calidris arenaria.) 



The Sanderling is an inhabitant of almost 

 every country and clime, passing the nesting 

 season within the Arctic Circle and migrating 

 to and beyond the tropics in the winter. 

 Though sometimes found on the shores of the 

 larger inland lakes, with us the bird is almost 

 entirely maritime. They are quite common 

 here in New England, a visitor to our sandy 

 beaches in August usually finding plenty of 

 these birds, either in small flocks of their own 

 kind or united with the smaller ''sandpeeps" 

 or the ' ^ ringnecks. " Their favorite feeding 

 places are at the edges of incoming waves, just 

 keeping out of their reach as they advance and 

 charging back as the water goes down. 



Generally the Sanderling is unsuspicious and 

 will allow close approach unless in a locality 

 where much disturbed. It is large enough to be 



