SANDERLING 317 



the flight is comparatively straight, so that a passing flock 

 will not display the same fantastic aerial patterns as are 

 exhibited by many other shore-birds, notably by Dunlins. 

 In winter the Sanderling is easily recognised on the wing 

 by the general white colour, not only of its under, but also 

 of its upper parts. Hence, in sunshine, a flock displays 

 a constant brilliant or glittering appearance in the air as 

 long as the birds are visible, differing from Dunlins, which 

 seem almost to disappear for an instant when they turn 

 their darker backs. 



Voice. When unsuspicious of danger, the Sanderling 

 is a rather silent little bird. In spring I have heard a gentle 

 twitter going on at intervals among the feeding flocks. 

 When alarmed a single sharp and shrill note is uttered 

 which sounds like wick, or sicink, swink. It may be com- 

 pared to a somewhat subdued alarm-note of a Chaffinch. 



FIG. 44.-LEFT FOOT OF SANDERLING. Nat, size. 



Food. In autumn, winter, and spring, the food consists 

 of minute shrimps, shell-fish, and worms. In the gizzards 

 of several birds I found sand coarser than that usually 

 swallowed by the Dunlin. Many minute bivalved shell-fish, 

 unbroken, and measuring 4 mm. in their greatest diameter, 

 were also present. I have also detected quantities of 

 sand-hoppers and nothing else ; and in other gizzards the 

 remains of small black-beetles in a fine state of division. 



At its breeding-grounds this species has been found 

 feeding largely on Saxifraga oppositifolia (Col. Feilden). 



