264 PURPLE SANDPIPER 



semble in habits. The nest, which is composed of some bits of 

 withered grass, or sedge, and small twigs of heath, is placed in a 

 slight hollow, generally on a bare spot, and usually in a dry place, 

 like that selected by the Golden Plover. The female lays four eggs, 

 and sits very assiduously, often allowing a person to come quite 

 close to her before removing, which she does in a fluttering and 

 cowering manner. ' * 



In a few specimens which I obtained, the bill was considerably 

 curved downwards throughout its whole length, thus approaching 

 in form that of the Pigmy Curlew ; but the dusky upper tail-coverts 

 sufficiently distinguished it from its rarer congener. 



PURPLE SANDPIPER 



TRINGA STRIATA 



Bill longer than the head, slightly bent down at the tip, dusky, the base reddish 

 orange ; head and neck dusky brown, tinged with grey ; back and 

 scapulars black, with purple and violet reflections, the feathers edged 

 with deep ash ; breast grey and white ; under plumage white, streaked 

 on the flanks with grey ; feet ochre-yellow. Length eight and a quarter 

 inches. Eggs yellowish olive, spotted and speckled with reddish brown. 



The Purple Sandpiper is described as being far less common than 

 the Dunlin, and differing from it in habits, inasmuch as it resorts 

 to the rocky coast in preference to sandy flats. The few specimens 

 of it which I have seen were associated with Dunlins, flying in the 

 same flocks with them, feeding with them, and so closely resembling 

 them in size and movements, that a description of the one equally 

 characterizes the other. It was only, in fact, by the difference of 

 colour that I could discriminate between them ; and this I did, on 

 several occasions, with great ease, having obtained my specimens 

 singly while they were surrounded by other birds. According to 

 Mr. Dunn, ' The Purple Sandpiper is very numerous in Orkney and 

 Shetland, appearing early in spring, and leaving again at the latter 

 end of April ; about which time it collects in large flocks, and may 

 be found on the rocks at ebb-tide, watching each retiring wave, 

 running down as the water falls back, picking small shellfish off 

 the stones, and displaying great activity in escaping the advancing 

 sea. It does not breed there.' 



This species has a wide geographical range. It has been often 

 observed in the Arctic regions, where it breeds. It is well known 

 in North America, and is found in various parts of the continent of 

 Europe, especially Holland. 



1 Macgillivray. 



