DUNLIN 289 



breeding-quarters. At no time of the year is this species 

 absent from our shores. Large numbers remain throughout 

 the winter, and even in midsummer 1 wisps of considerable 

 sizes, of non-breeding birds may be noticed. The Dunlin 

 is by far the most abundant of the so-called ' Sand-Larks.' 

 Its presence, in almost countless numbers, enlivens the 

 dreary expanses of ooze and mud-flat which are exposed at 

 low water. 



So plentifully and widely distributed are the flocks 

 on the beach, that the most casual observer cannot fail 

 to acquaint himself with these active and dainty little 

 creatures as they run hither and thither in search of food. 

 They are nearly always on the move. At one time we find 

 them clustered in a great assemblage on the dry sand, above 

 high- water mark ; at other times we see them darting about 

 with lowered heads, probing their beaks intently in the soft 

 estuarine mud. Again, they may be observed ' lining out ' 

 along the fringe of the breakers ; a few, more venturesome 

 than the rest, wade so deeply that they are almost taken 

 off their feet, while others flit into the air to avoid the 

 splash of the approaching wave. 



Dunlins are sociable and comparatively unsuspicious in 

 their habits, especially the immature birds in autumn. 2 

 They can often be approached close enough to detect, with 



1 I have noticed flocks, varying in numbers from thirty to several 

 hundreds, remain throughout the summer along different parts of the 

 British coast. On July 25th, 1900, I saw a gigantic flock feeding on 

 the slob-lands of the Dublin coast. All the birds were in nuptial dress, 

 with conspicuous black breasts, and were very tame. 



2 In the early part of the season, viz., between the latter part of July 

 and the beginning of September, I have observed immature Dunlins 

 so tame as to allow me to get within five yards of them. 



As late as November llth, 1900, I have come across a flock of newly 

 arrived migrants, all very tame. On April 29th, 1900, I watched thou- 

 sands of tame Dunlins (nearly all in full nuptial dress), on the ooze-flats 

 of Dublin Bay. As I lay flat on my chest, partly concealed by a tuft 

 of rushes, I could see the birds flitting hither and thither all round me, 

 some of them flying for a short distance out to sea, to return to the same 

 resting- spot again. 



Concerning the tameness of these birds on certain occasions, Mr. A. 

 Williams writes : " On October 31st, 1867, at 6 o'clock a.m., I walked 

 quietly over the ooze-flats of Dublin Bay. In the dim morning light I 

 discerned a large flock of Dunlins, the out- standing birds allowing me to 

 approach within three yards of them. For several minutes I rested and 

 admired the little creatures assiduously probing in the mud and running 

 about almost around my feet." 



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