HANDSELING 315 



majority of birds do not reach us until a few weeks later. 

 The Sanderling is fairly plentiful in suitable localities in 

 September and October, the flocks consisting chiefly of 

 immature birds. In midwinter a general decrease in 

 numbers on our shores is apparent, but even then this 

 species is far from being uncommon. During spring 1 the 

 numbers are again increased by the influx of migrants from 

 more southern countries, many of which appear in full 

 nuptial plumage on the Irish, as well as on the English 

 coast. 



Firm, clean stretches of sand, 2 uncovered by sea\veed, 

 are the chief resorts of this species (Plate XXX.). In this 

 respect it differs markedly from the Dunlin, Knot, Redshank, 

 and other wading-birds, which are equally partial to the 

 soft, slimy, ooze-covered tracts in proximity to our tidal 

 estuaries. Only in exceptional cases are the shores of 

 inland lakes and rivers frequented. 



Flocks of Sanderlings in full winter plumage 3 , feeding on 

 the strand, afford an interesting and attractive sight. They 

 run nimbly to and fro, moving like little white dots over 

 the sombre, grey sands. In storm or calm they are alike in 

 activity. Away they go, pattering over the sands, until the 



early ' non-breeders,' which always preceded the advent of the immature 

 birds, quitted the strand after "resting a few days. Mr. A. Williams 

 writes me that on several different occasions during the month of July 

 of the present year, he observed Sanderlings on the Dublin coast, some 

 of the flocks numbering up to fifty birds. On August llth, 1906, at 

 12.30 p.m., I observed a Sanderling fly round and finally alight on the 

 s.s. " Southwark " on which I was a passenger. I was able to approach 

 within two yards of the bird, though I was unsuccessful in capturing it. 

 It was an adult in nuptial plumage, and judging from its flight it was 

 fairly exhausted. It left the vessel and I did not see it again. When 

 it first appeared we were 490 miles from Liverpool, outward bound for 

 Montreal; lat. 56 20" N., long. 18 W., North Atlantic. 



1 Though less plentiful in some districts in spring than in autumn, 

 yet on many parts of the Irish coast I have seen larger numbers in May 

 than in September. 



2 On the western shores of Ireland, where there are immense 

 stretches of sand, this species is more plentiful than on the eastern 

 (Ussher). 



3 In this species the winter plumage is often assumed as early as 

 September, and retained until June. I have examined Sanderlings shot 

 on the east coast of Ireland on September loth and 24th, in full winter 

 plumage. On the coast of Yorkshire I have seen Sanderlings still in 

 winter plumage, as late as June 1st, while in the same flocks were birds 

 in summer and transition dress. 



