200 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



Although Temminck's Stint assumes a more 

 mottled plumage in summer, and the Little Stint 

 a more uniform colour in winter, the difference in 

 the wing and tail-feathers, as pointed out above, 

 will be at all times, I think, a sufficient guide in 

 determining the species. 



Temminck's Stint is occasionally, although rarely, 

 found here during the migration in spring and 

 autumn. The earliest notice which I have met with 

 of the occurrence of this species in Middlesex, is 

 contained in the last volume of Yarrell's * British 

 Birds.' At p. 75, vol. iii., that author says : " Mr. 

 Bond sent me word that he met with a pair of old 

 birds in the spring of 1839, on the margin of Kings- 

 bury Reservoir, in Middlesex, and several young 

 ones in the autumn of the same year, obtaining one 

 of the old ones and five young ones." In May, 1859, 

 Mr. Spencer received a specimen that had been 

 killed by his brother at this Reservoir. Mr. Bond 

 shot a young bird of this species at the same piece 

 of water on 31st August, 1861, which he has since 

 presented to the British Museum. 



Several small Stints, said to be Temminck's, 

 appeared at the Reservoir on the 4th August, 1863, 

 and one of them was shot ; but as I unfortunately 

 did not see it, I am unable to say for certain whether 

 it was T. Temminckii or T. minuta. 



DUNLIN, Tringa variabilis. A regular passing 

 visitant in spring and autumn, and the first, of 



