402 



THE NATURE BOOK 



broad black band across the breast, whilst 

 the Sanderling, though reddish brown 

 above in spring, has then only a rufous 

 and black spotted breast. The black 

 beak of the Dunlin is longer than that 

 of the Sanderling, and has a slight down- 



is one of the tamest of shore birds, 

 and allows almost as near an approach 

 as will the Dunlin or Ringed Plover. 

 A curious seasonal change in this bird 

 is that the yellowish green feet and 

 and 3'ellow soles, which young and 



legs 



Fhotograph by C. Riid, ll'iikn-u, y.B, 



HERON. 



ward curve. Both these birds are about 

 eight inches long. 



A similar bird in size to these two, and 

 one which at first sight might be mistaken 

 for either of them, is the Curlew Sandpiper, 

 a regular autumn migrant. It has, how- 

 ever, a much more decidedly down- 

 curved beak than the Dunlin, and may 

 also be distinguished from both it and tlie 

 Sanderling by its white rump and longer 

 legs. In summer the breast feathers of 

 the Curlew Sandpiper change from white 

 to chestnut, as is also the case with the 

 Knot, another fairly common spring and 

 autumn visitor, but an altogether lumpier 

 bird, more like a Plover in l)uild, and 

 with a comparati\-ely short beak. It 



adult wear in winter, become black in 

 summer. 



The little Stint, the smallest British 

 shore bird — it is only six inches in length 

 — is like a diminutive Dunlin, but it has 

 the beak quite straight. The Purple Sand- 

 piper, more solitary in its habits and 

 perhaps less common than any yet 

 mentioned, may be distinguished at all 

 seasons by the shortness of its dull \-ellow 

 legs, and the darkness of the feathers 

 above the tail. 



A tidal- harbour, at ebb and flow of 

 tide during September and May, is the 

 best place to watch the various Waders, 

 but a vigilant eye should be ke]it upon the 

 last piece of sand, mud, or shingle to be 



