114 DUNLIN. 



Haunts. As last. 



Observation. In general appearance much like the last, but 

 smaller. 



Plumage. Upper parts mottled with buff, reddish brown, 

 and black, with metallic green and purple reflections. In 

 winter the reddish brown is replaced by a greyish tinge. Neck 

 and breast spotted ; under parts white. Bill dusky at tip and 

 lighter at base. Legs and feet grey. Length ?i in. Female, 

 slightly larger and duller. Young, no reflections on upper 

 parts. 



Language. Much like -the last. 



Habits. Much like the last. 



Food. Much like the last. 



Nidification. Breeds in Northern Europe. 



DUNLIN (Tringa alpina). 



Chiefly migrant ; being most commonly met with in autumn 

 and spring. Breeds in considerable numbers in the moun- 

 tainous districts of the North, also in Cornwall, Wales, south- 

 western counties, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. 



Haunts. Shores and tidal rivers when not breeding. 



Plumage. Crown of head rufous brown, streaked with black. 

 Mantle chestnut, marked with black. Upper parts ash-grey. 

 Throat and fore-chest greyish \vhite, streaked with black. 

 Lower breast black. Belly white. Bill rather long and black. 

 Legs and feet black. Length 7| in. Female rather larger. 

 In winter the adults lose the rufous tinge on upper parts, and 

 become greyish ; under parts white ; greyish band on chest, 

 and white bar on wings. Young : feathers of head and back 

 with dark centres and rufous margins ; chin white ; upper 

 breast tawny, streaked with dusky on flanks; belly whitish. 

 Nestling : rufous above and greyish white below ; three black 

 streaks on back. 



Language. A pleasing little trill, like "trui." Also another 

 note, like "purre." 



Habits. In disposition rather confiding. Fond of running 

 nimbly over the sea-shore, stopping every now and then to 

 probe the sand or ooze for food. When flying together in large 

 flocks, often in company with other waders, they look, at one 

 moment, like a dark cloud, at another like a silver one, as they 

 wheel rapidly round and expose the under parts. 



Food. Marine insects, worms, and Crustacea. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. On the ground among heather, or in tuft of coarse 



Materials. A few leaves and grasses. 



