302 CHABAPEHDJS 



CURLEW-SANDPIPER. Tringa subarquata (Giildenstadt). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain,' vol. iv, 

 pi. 68; Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. viii, pi. 558; 

 Lilford, ' Coloured Figures,' vol. v, pi. 38. 



Small flocks of Curlew-Sandpipers sojourn for a short 

 period on our shores during the spring and autumn migra- 

 tion. Like the Little Stint this species is exceedingly rare 

 in midwinter and midsummer. Its numbers seem to vary 

 annually ; in some districts it is decidedly scarce one year 

 and almost plentiful the next. The eastern and southern 

 coasts of Great Britain are much more frequented than the 

 opposite shores. As a visitant to the north of Scotland this 

 bird is not constant ; the same may be said of the Orkneys 

 and Shetlands. Curlew-Sandpipers touch upon the east and 

 north coasts of Ireland probably every year, but in varying 

 numbers. 1 Specimens have also been recorded from Mayo, 

 (Warren), Achill Island (Sheridan), Cork, and other parts of 

 Southern Ireland (Ussher). I am not aware of any instance 

 from Ireland during the vernal migration, but in England 

 this species has been noted as early as March 19th, and 

 birds in nuptial plumage passing north, occur along the east 

 coast until June (Saunders). 



The Curlew-Sandpiper is one of the most graceful of 

 small wading-birds. It resembles a miniature Curlew, 

 beautifully proportioned, with long slender legs and beak, 

 the latter being gently decurved near its extremity. In 

 the autumn 2 (usually in early September), immature birds, 

 generally in small flocks, may be seen probing for food on 

 the soft ooze, apart from or in company with other small 

 ' waders.' On the strand this species bears a close resemblance 

 to the Dunlin, but may be distinguished by its superior size, 

 longer and more slender neck, by the more elegantly arched 

 outline of its back, and when flying by its conspicuous 

 white upper tail-coverts 3 (Plate XXVI., fig. C). 



1 Though far less abundant than the Dunlin, yet flocks of consider- 

 able size may be seen sometimes in autumn. The late Mr. E. Williams 

 has noticed as many as two to three hundred together on the Dublin 

 coast, and I have several times seen over one hundred in a flock about 

 the same locality. 



2 Few remain on our shores after October. 



3 In the early part of the migration- season, I have observed small 

 wisps of immature Dunlins squatting on the ooze or grass-flats. In the 

 bright summer sunshine the feathers of their backs and wings appear 



