160 SCOLOPACID^:. 



any embankment in the neighbourhood of the shore, where 

 the entire flock remain with the utmost resignation and pa- 

 tience, their numbers considerably increased by other " tide 

 waiters," in the shape of ring dotterels and knots ; all mo- 

 tionless, the great majority stand upon one leg, with the other 

 drawn up and hidden in the plumage, and although appa- 

 rently inattentive, all are watchful when the least portion of 

 the strand is uncovered. That being observed, instantly 

 the entire flock rise with a single motion, and sweep rapidly 

 over to the exposed sand; rising in the air for a few feet be- 

 fore alighting, the flock drop like a single bird upon the strand, 

 each, expressing satisfaction by piping its melodious note, sets 

 at once actively to work ; and, running after the retiring 

 waves with the greatest eagerness, at one moment springing 

 up to avoid the splash, and the next running along the strand 

 with their wings extended to their utmost, as if to dry the 

 spray which had fallen on them. Sometimes an intruder of 

 larger size may alight beside them, but it is not regarded ; at 

 times even a heron may flap its starved bulk along and pitch 

 down into the centre of the flock, but even its dignity is not 

 consulted, and they continue to make the very shingle melo- 

 dious with their shrill and pleasing call-notes. 



The most perfect in their evolutions of all our Irish birds, 

 we are often astonished at the surprising and beautiful ap- 

 pearance which is presented by a flock when on the wing. 

 Flying off when alarmed, they proceed some few hundred yards, 

 when instantly the entire flock, with the most instant effect, 

 turn on the wing, and, where scarcely observed previously, 

 the air seems suddenly bright with the flash of perhaps two 

 thousand snowy underwings. So perfect is the motion per- 

 formed by each bird, that we might suppose it were some 

 aerial piece of mechanism that had produced it ; or, as we 

 once heard it illustrated by an old sailor who was observing 

 them, that, " sorra one bit of use in drilling, for they are the 

 best soldiers on the strand." 



On the approach of spring they betake themselves, in flocks 

 of some thousands, to their northern breeding haunts very 

 few remaining on our coast to breed. 



Habitat Northern Europe. 



