SCOLOPACID^E. 419 



much like those of the Common Snipe, but the 

 ground colour rather browner. They are about the 

 same shape, but of course smaller. 



CURLEW SANDPIPER, Tringa subarquata. The 

 Curlew Sandpiper, or "Pigmy Curlew," as it is 

 frequently called, has received the name " Curlew " 

 from some slight resemblance to that bird, espe- 

 cially in the downward curve of the beak. It is not 

 very common in our county, but occurs occasionally 

 on our coast, generally in the winter ; its occurrence 

 may be, and probably is, more frequent than is 

 generally supposed, as it is sometimes shot with the 

 flocks of Purres and mistaken for those birds, which 

 it somewhat resembles, especially in its winter 

 plumage : it is, however, taller and more elegantly 

 shaped. It may generally be considered a winter 

 visitor to this country, although Yarrell mentions 

 the occurrence of a few specimens during the 

 summer months and in perfect summer plumage, 

 from which he supposes, and probably rightly, that 

 it occasionally breeds in England. I can, however, 

 find no account of the nest. 



As well as in appearance, this bird resembles the 

 Purre, or Dunlin, in food and habits, its food con- 

 sisting principally of insects, such as sand-hoppers, 

 small Crustacea?, shrimps and worms. Mr. Harting 

 says the stomach of one he examined was filled with 

 the remains of small worms, Coleopterous insects 

 and a few minute pebbles. 



