BIRD-LIFE ALONG THE SHORE. l8/ 



into a flock. These flocks frequent the coast 

 until the end of September, after which date odd 

 birds alone are met with. Now and then a Green 

 Sandpiper may be met with about the marshes of 

 the Teign and Exe all the winter through, and 

 there is some evidence to suggest that the species 

 breeds within the county. In passing, it may be 

 of interest to remark that the Wood Sandpiper 

 was first made known to be a British bird by 

 Montagu, who records an example shot on the 

 south coast of Devon. We have also shot on 

 the rocky beaches of Tor Bay a bird which we 

 believe to be an example of the American Spotted 

 Sandpiper in winter plumage. This specimen is 

 now in the museum of the Torquay Natural 

 History Society. Almost simultaneously with the 

 appearance of the Common Sandpiper the Dunlin 

 returns to the mudflats and salt marshes. At 

 first single birds, odd pairs, and little parties are 

 seen, but as the autumn advances these seem to 

 form up into larger companies, perhaps to migrate 

 in flocks. Fair-sized flocks of these birds are 

 occasionally seen, but, so far as our experience 

 goes, the vast flights of more northern and eastern 

 districts are quite unknown. The graceful evolu- 



